Simon Thomas replaced as AM for Mid and West Wales
Plaid Cymru has appointed a new AM to replace Simon Thomas who stood down following his arrest for possession of indecent images.
Last month, Mr Thomas, AM for Mid and West Wales, who is a married father-of-two was arrested by Dyfed-Powys Police, who are investigation allegations against him.
He has now been replaced by former Montgomeryshire parliamentary candidate Helen-Mary Jones, who was sworn into her role on Thursday at the assembly.
She has been a prominent figure in Welsh politics, and previously served as a Plaid Cymru AM from 1999 until 2011 with a political focus in her work on social justice, education and children and young people's rights.
She expressed regret at the difficult circumstances in which she would be returning to the National Assembly but said that she was ready to undertake "the great honour of serving the people of Mid and West Wales to the best of her ability".
"It is a great honour to have the opportunity to serve the people of Mid and West Wales in our National Assembly," she said.
Difficult circumstances
"I feel a profound sense of regret at the difficult circumstances in which I will be returning to the Senedd.
"Despite this, I know that there is a job of work to do in representing the people of Mid and West Wales and in giving them and their communities the strongest voice possible in our national parliament.
"I look forward to giving of my best for the region and for Wales."
After Mr Thomas resigned both his post and the party, he deleted his Twitter account and website.
Dyfed-Powys Police said an individual from Aberystwyth had been released on bail for 28 days.
Mr Thomas is a former librarian and was a special senior advisor to former deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones after losing his seat at Westminster and before he was elected to the assembly.
He was also a contender to succeed Mr Jones as party leader in 2012, but dropped out of the contest which was won by Leanne Wood.
