Rwanda asylum: Mark Drakeford's criticism of policy attacked by Welsh secretary

Up to seven people had been expected to be moved to Rwanda on Tuesday evening

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart has told Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford to "put his own house in order" before lecturing Tory ministers on humanity.

Welsh Labour's leader described the refugee flights to Rwanda as "cruel, inhumane and a dark day for the UK".

Mr Hart said that the experience of some patients using the Welsh NHS amounted to inhumanity, with eight hour waits for ambulances.

Wales Economy Minister Vaughan Gething called the comparison "extraordinary".

UK ministers say taking some asylum seekers who cross the English Channel to the UK to claim asylum in Rwanda will discourage others from crossing the Channel.

• Chris Mason: Where does flight setback leave ministers?

• Why are asylum seekers being sent to Rwanda?

• Land of safety - or fear? Why Rwanda divides opinion

The first flight to take asylum seekers to East Africa was cancelled minutes before take-off on Tuesday, after a late intervention from the European Court of Human Rights.

Up to seven people had been expected to be removed to Rwanda on the Boeing 767, and Home Secretary Priti Patel has said preparation for the next flight is beginning now.

Condemning the policy on Tuesday, Mr Drakeford tweeted: "Today is a dark day for the UK.

"This policy is a new low for the UK government - and a cruel and inhumane response to those seeking safety and sanctuary in our country.

"It is in stark contrast to Wales' position as a nation of sanctuary."

At a Wales Office media briefing on Wednesday, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Mr Hart asked the first minister to visit a hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

He said: "Can I suggest he comes to Withybush Hospital and look at the care his NHS is giving my constituents?

"They are waiting for an ambulance for eight hours, they cannot get a doctor's appointment even when the surgery says that they need one.

"If he wants to talk about humanity and cruelty I am very happy to talk in public with him about his treatment of the people of Wales."

Mr Hart suggested that the first minister stick to policy areas controlled by the Welsh government.

"Rwanda is a reserved matter [controlled by the UK government]," he said.

"My suggestion is he gets his humanitarian house in order on his own doorstep."

How have the comments gone down with Welsh ministers?

Welsh Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said it was "extraordinary to try to compare the way that a modern health service works with an immoral policy that has been condemned by the leadership of every major faith in the UK and to try to say the two are equivalent - they're simply not".

He told BBC Wales half a million pounds had been "wasted on the first abortive flight".

"The UK should really think about what sort of country do we want to be, what message do we want to send to people around the world and, crucially, how do we make the best use of public monies?" Mr Gething said.

Earlier, a Welsh government spokesperson described Mr Hart's comments as "completely unacceptable" and "hugely inappropriate and disrespectful to the life-saving and life-changing work people receive from the NHS every day across Wales and the UK.

Mr Hart also confirmed that the Wales Office had not been consulted about the controversial appointment of Welsh businessman David Buttress as the UK government's new cost of living tsar.

Mr Buttress is a prominent supporter of Welsh independence and a long-standing and vocal critic of Boris Johnson.

Mr Hart said he would nonetheless not have expected to have been consulted given the "dozens" of government appointments each day, and he extolled the virtues of a "broad church" of opinion.

Mr Buttress starts his unpaid six-month role in July and is understood to be looking at a UK-wide discount scheme with major retailers for parents buying school uniform in the summer.