Gareth LewisPolitical editor, BBC Wales News
PA Media
First Minister Eluned Morgan has declined the King’s invitation to a state banquet with Donald Trump at Windsor Castle
Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan has turned down the King’s invitation to a state banquet with Donald Trump at Windsor Castle.
The US President arrived in London on Tuesday night with First Lady Melania Trump for his second state visit.
On Tuesday night the Welsh government said Morgan wanted to support colleagues at an “incredibly difficult time” after the recent death of Caerphilly Senedd member.
On Wednesday a spokesperson said there was a “private engagement tonight between the first minister and MSs” after Mr David’s death. Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said it would be seen as a “snub” by the United States and was “deeply regrettable”.
Millar told the BBC Radio Wales Phone-in “all of us have been affected by the terrible tragic death of our dear colleague Hefin David and, of course, my heart goes out with great sympathy to everybody in the Labour Party, including Labour MSs”.
“But the first minister has a deputy first minister, she also has other government ministers and Wales should be represented,” he said.
“It will be deemed to be a snub by the United States that’s there’s no Welsh government representative at this very important event.
“That, I think, is deeply, deeply regrettable.”
Welsh government analysis suggests the US is Wales’ second most valuable trading partner by country, though the EU is bigger overall.
In May, Morgan warned Wales could be hit harder than England by US tariffs, given its heavier reliance on goods exports.
Reuters
Trump and Melania landed at London Stansted Airport on Tuesday night for the President’s second state visit to the UK
Talks on scrapping tariffs on UK steel are on hold, with US officials raising concerns over Tata’s shift from blast furnaces to new electric arc furnaces, due in 2027.
Morgan congratulated Trump on his re-election last year, calling the US–Wales relationship “highly valued”, though in 2017 she had described him as “off-the-scale crazy” in a BBC Wales interview.
On Tuesday night the Welsh government said Morgan wrote to the King to “thank him for his gracious invite” but feels “her place is here with colleagues as she continues to support them during this incredibly difficult time”.
At Wednesday lunchtime a new statement from a Welsh government spokesperson said: “There is a private engagement tonight between the first minister and MSs following the death of Hefin David.”
Morgan is not the only high profile party leader to turn down an invite to the banquet.
In August, the Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said he was boycotting the event to send President Trump a message over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
But Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he would attend the Windsor event.
Plaid Cymru leaders Rhun ap Iorwerth and Liz Saville Roberts have criticised Starmer’s decision to welcome Trump with full state honours, warning that “his presence risks emboldening extremism at home and abroad”.