Eluned Morgan called 'weak' and 'pathetic' as row over Keir Starmer's future continues

Wales' First Minister has defended Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a heated Senedd session. Her political opponents told her the way she had stood by the Prime Minister was "pathetic" and "weak".

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar held a press conference at 2.30pm on Monday, February 8, where he called for the Prime Minister to resign. Mrs Morgan did not issue any comment until 10.45am on Tuesday, February 9, despite numerous requests for an update on her position. In an online statement, she then said the Prime Minister had her backing.

Conservative group leader, Darren Millar, told her she had "bottled" calling for his resignation and that was "absolutely pathetic". 

Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said she was as "weak" as the Prime Minister.

In the weekly First Minister's Questions session, Mrs Morgan was asked why it had taken her so long to issue a statement of support.

"Well, can I first start by saying that Keir Starmer was elected with a clear mandate to be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and I support him in the job that he was elected to do? When Labour succeeds in government, the people of Wales become better off, and that is my key concern.

"My job as First Minister is to improve the lives of people in Wales, not to provide a running commentary on Westminster politics.

"I have never been a fan of Peter Mandelson. I never felt that he held the same kind of values as we do in Welsh Labour. The recent revelations that he shared sensitive government information with somebody who could benefit financially I think was a low that many people hadn't expected.

"But also, of course, what is important now is that Keir Starmer takes this opportunity to refocus the issues relating to Epstein on to the women and girls who have been abused. That's where the focus needs to be and that's where the focus needs to stay.

"I think that the Prime Minister is an honourable man, he's committed to public service, and I think that he wants to do right by the country."

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said while her words about Peter Mandelson were "no doubt justified", "her continued defence of the Prime Minister, of course, raises more questions".

He said the First Minister didn't know "which way to turn".

She retorted: "I am focused on the needs of the people of this country. I do not jump up in the middle of a cabinet meeting to respond to issues going on in Westminster. That is not the way you run a country."

He continued: "It must have been a very long cabinet meeting if it started yesterday afternoon and you couldn't get a statement out until this morning.

"But the real reason why the First Minister is so passive when it comes to passing judgments on the Prime Minister is because she is equally as weakened as he is.

"She has invested so much political capital in supporting him she can't back down now. But the tragedy is that she gets nothing in return for her loyalty."

Mrs Morgan responded telling him: "I was elected to run Wales, not to provide a running commentary on Westminster politics.

"I find it genuinely incredible that after more than 25 years of devolution the office of First Minister is still treated as a pundit’s chair rather than at the head of a democratic government.

"You are not at the BBC any longer Rhun, this is a Senedd, it’s not a studio, it’s not a talking shop, it’s the seat of Welsh democracy and every time it’s reduced to gossip about what is happening elsewhere, the people of Wales are being shortchanged".