Greyhound bill was not part of the deal, insists Irranca-Davies

THE deputy first minister has insisted plans to ban greyhound racing are not linked to a budget deal, despite being confronted with evidence it was part of the agreement.

- 

Huw Irranaca-Davies

During a tense evidence session, Huw Irranca-Davies was challenged by fellow Labour member Alun Davies over the timing of a draft law.

Mr Davies argued the ban was part of a deal the Labour government struck with Jane Dodds, the Liberal Democrats' leader in Wales, to secure her support for this year's budget.

The former minister quoted from the published 2025/26 Welsh Government budget agreement which lists "a move to ban greyhound racing in Wales" as part of the deal.

"I'm entirely unconvinced by the argument that it's a separate process," he said.

In response, Mr Irranca-Davies told Senedd members not to be "under any misapprehension" that bringing in a ban was related to budget considerations.