Plaid Cymru leader Wood in narrow win to top party list

Leanne Wood will also fight the Rhondda constituency in the assembly election

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has narrowly won the right to top her party's regional list for South Wales Central for the 2016 assembly election.

It makes her re-election more likely, but sources said she needed second round votes as Cardiff councillor Neil McEvoy polled more in the first count.

Welsh Labour said it was "desperately embarrassing" that Ms Wood "can't even command a majority of her own members".

Plaid Cymru said it did not comment on internal party election results.

Ms Wood was confirmed on Saturday as the lead candidate for South Wales Central, as she was for the last assembly election in 2011.

As well as 40 constituency members, the assembly includes 20 AMs elected from five regional lists to give a more proportional result.

Candidates are allowed to seek election simultaneously via a constituency and a regional list.

'Strong team'

Ms Wood and Mr McEvoy issued a statement that made no mention of how the contest was won.

The Plaid leader, who will also stand in the Rhondda constituency, said: "Members have elected a strong team of candidates with a proven track record as effective community champions."

Cardiff councillor Mr McEvoy, who will also stand in Cardiff West, said: "We have a strong team to take us forward and I am delighted to be second on the list."

The third-place candidate is Dafydd Trystan Davies, also standing in the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency.

A Welsh Labour party spokesman said: "That Plaid Cymru's leader can't even command a majority of her own members is desperately embarrassing stuff and exposes the deep mistrust Leanne Wood faces from her own party.

"In recent weeks she's been publicly criticised by a former Plaid leader, failed to deliver any gains in the general election and seen Plaid slip into fourth place behind UKIP in Wales.

"At this rate, many will be forgiven for wondering whether Leanne Wood will lead Plaid Cymru in to next year's election."