Tributes to Mohammad Asghar MS

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:21 pm on 17 June 2020.

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Photo of Neil McEvoy Neil McEvoy Independent 1:21, 17 June 2020

Thanks, Llywydd. Diolch, Llywydd. Very shocking news yesterday—I don't think we can fail to be moved by the contributions. I'd like to wish Oscar's family, friends, his staff and Conservative colleagues condolences from everybody in the Welsh National Party. Oscar—I'll smile now, because he always made me smile—I first met him before 2007; 2004 I think it was. We did a lot of work together on setting up an equality section, and he was extremely helpful; we went to his office in Newport, we worked together, went through lists. He was clearly very well respected in his community, and it was a real pleasure to work with him.

He left Plaid Cymru and joined the Conservatives, and that didn't change anything at all—nothing at all. Every time I saw him, he spoke, we'd always have a joke, which would be lovely. One of the benefits of moving across the Chamber was to be sat near Oscar, because, every single day, he would go past and there would be some joke to share, and he always spoke, and not everybody does that. And he was such a genuine, genuine man. We would sometimes go to more private areas and just discuss matters, really, shared experiences, his experience in the Senedd. And I think more should really have been made, and should be made, of the fact that he was the first person of colour elected to the Welsh Parliament—the Senedd. Everyone's mentioned his passion for cricket and sports, but what I'll carry with me—and all of us will, really—is Oscar, Oscar the man. And may he rest in peace.