PLAID Cymru Member of Parliament for Dwyfor Meirionnydd Liz Saville Roberts has been given a prestigious MP of the Year Award from a diversity and inclusion charity.

The MP spoke of her 'immeasurable privilege' working on behalf of her constituents, as she picked up the prize from the Patchwork Foundation.

Mrs Saville Roberts, first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, has been recognised for her regional work championing the rights of young women.

She is also Plaid Cymru’s first female MP and leader of the group in Westminster.

The Patchwork Foundation honours a handful of MPs voted on by an independent panel of judges. The MP of the Year award runs on an annual basis and works to recognise MPs in their work to support disadvantaged communities.

This year, the event was held virtually and hosted by member of the Patchwork Foundation and journalist, John Pienaar.

Commenting on receiving the award Mrs Saville Roberts said: "I am truly proud to accept this award because its stated values are the measuring stick against which the priorities of all MPs should be judged.

"Every generation of politicians carries the responsibility to champion the values of equality and justice in politics. Those people who shout loudest already have a voice – so representatives should seek out those whose voice goes unheard.

"Tolerance and inclusivity are easy among people we agree with, so we should seek out conversation with people with whom we have yet to agree.

"Too often, Westminster can seem detached: pantomime characters playing out a privileged on-screen drama utterly removed from the challenges and opportunities of the real world.’

"As a constituency MP, I see it as my duty to make the link between the theatre of Westminster and show how its storylines shape the realities of our daily lives.

"It is an immeasurable privilege to work on behalf of the people of Dwyfor Meirionnydd, championing local causes as well as engaging on behalf of local people with the great challenges of our time."

Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Leader Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn congratulated Mrs Saville Roberts, adding: "Liz is a hardworking, determined and committed leader for Plaid Cymru at Westminster, and her work on behalf of residents in north west Wales is second to none.

"We are proud of her achievements and to work alongside her in championing the rights of those in Dwyfor Meirionnydd."