Eluned Morgan rejects Donald Trump state banquet invite

Gareth LewisWales political editorPA MediaFirst Minister Eluned Morgan has declined the King’s invitation to a state banquet with Donald Trump at Windsor CastleWales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan has turned down the King’s invitation to a state banquet with Donald Trump at Windsor Citadel.The US President arrived in London on Tuesday evening with First Girl Melania Trump for his second state go to.On Tuesday evening the Welsh authorities mentioned Morgan needed to help colleagues at an “extremely tough time” after the current demise of Caerphilly Senedd member. On Wednesday a spokesperson mentioned there was a “non-public engagement tonight between the primary minister and MSs” after Mr David’s demise. Conservative Senedd chief Darren Millar mentioned it will be seen as a “snub” by the USA and was “deeply regrettable”.Millar advised The Cellphone In on BBC Radio Wales “all of us have been affected by the horrible tragic demise of our expensive colleague Hefin David and, after all, my coronary heart goes out with nice sympathy to all people within the Labour Occasion, together with Labour MSs”. “However the first minister has a deputy first minister, she additionally has different authorities ministers and Wales needs to be represented,” he mentioned. “It will likely be deemed to be a snub by the USA that is there is not any Welsh authorities consultant at this essential occasion.”That, I feel, is deeply, deeply regrettable.”Welsh authorities evaluation suggests the US is Wales’ second most dear buying and selling accomplice by nation, although the EU is greater general.In Could, Morgan warned Wales may very well be hit more durable than England by US tariffs, given its heavier reliance on items exports.ReutersTrump and Melania landed at London Stansted Airport on Tuesday evening for the President’s second state go to to the UKTalks on scrapping tariffs on UK metal are on maintain, with US officers elevating issues over Tata’s shift from blast furnaces to new electrical arc furnaces, due in 2027.Morgan congratulated Trump on his re-election final yr, calling the US–Wales relationship “extremely valued”, although in 2017 she had described him as “off-the-scale loopy” in a BBC Wales interview.On Tuesday evening the Welsh authorities mentioned Morgan wrote to the King to “thank him for his gracious invite” however feels “her place is right here with colleagues as she continues to help them throughout this extremely tough time”.At Wednesday lunchtime a brand new assertion from a Welsh authorities spokesperson mentioned: “There’s a non-public engagement tonight between the primary minister and MSs following the demise of Hefin David.”It’s nonetheless unclear when the invitation to the banquet was acquired or when Wednesday evening’s engagement with Senedd members was organized.Morgan shouldn’t be the one excessive profile celebration chief to show down an invitation to the banquet.In August, the Liberal Democrat chief Ed Davey mentioned he was boycotting the occasion to ship President Trump a message over the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.However Scottish First Minister John Swinney mentioned he would attend the Windsor occasion.Plaid Cymru leaders Rhun ap Iorwerth and Liz Saville Roberts have criticised Starmer’s resolution to welcome Trump with full state honours, warning that “his presence dangers emboldening extremism at house and overseas”.