Devolution memo leak: FM speaks to Starmer

PM HAD TOLD MINISTERS TO RESIST DEVOLVED GOVERNMENTS’ OPPOSITION

- By ROD MINCHIN

THE First Minister of Wales has spoken to Sir Keir Starmer about his comments on devolution contained within a leaked memo.

In the memo, which was sent in December to senior Cabinet colleagues, the Prime Minister tells them to resist opposition from devolved governments.

The memo had been obtained by Plaid Cymru and earlier this week its leader Rhun ap Jorwerth accused the Prime Minister of treating Wales with “contempt”.

Baroness Eluned Morgan told members of the Senedd’s Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister that Sir Keir was referring to reserved areas of UK Government policy, such as home affairs and defence, rather than devolved matters like health and education.

“T read the memo on Tuesday, and I was able to speak to the Prime Minister on Wednesday to get clarification on what he meant within that letter,’ she told MSs.

“He made it clear to me that when he was talking about direct delivery in the nations, he was talking about issues reserved to the responsibilities of the UK Government.”