Plaid pulls out of NHS convention over 'party politics'

Plans to form a cross-party commission on the future of the NHS in Wales have been axed.

The decision came after Plaid Cymru announced it would not take part, following on from the Conservatives who previously pulled out.

The commission was meant to be a place for the parties to freely debate the future of the NHS.

Plaid Cymru health spokeswoman Elin Jones said the timing of the commission was not right given the recent political rows involving the NHS and the forthcoming elections.

She said she would have preferred an independent convention rather than a party political group.

"Fundamentally, it was a commission that was going to be confined by party politics rather than released from the interference of political parties," she said.