Mark Drakeford refuses to give evidence at a Senedd committee

Mark Drakeford is stepping down in March

Plaid Cymru have accused First Minister Mark Drakeford of running away from scrutiny after he refused to give evidence to a Senedd committee.

The culture committee wanted to see Mr Drakeford in person to discuss the budget for international relations, which is part of his job.

He provided written evidence instead, but the committee complained about the standard of it.

The Welsh government said he appears at the committee annually.

Plaid Cymru's Llyr Gruffydd accused Mark Drakeford of "running away from scrutiny".

"It's particularly galling that the first minister refused to appear before the committee having taken personal responsibility for international relations.

"It's only right that he is accountable in the same way as other ministers have been held to account."

While foreign affairs are not handled by Cardiff the Welsh government manages a network of overseas offices to promote trade opportunities. It has a budget of just over £8m.

Mark Drakeford, who is stepping down as first minister in March, was asked by the culture committee to appear before it to answer questions about the budget for international relations in a report last year.

• Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford resigns

In response to that report his office informed the committee he would not be appearing in person on the draft budget for the next financial year, and would instead provide a written paper.

Delyth Jewell, writing on behalf of the committee in her role as chair, wrote back to Mr Drakeford to say the information provided fell "significantly below the standard we had expected", complaining about a difference in figures between what the written evidence said and what the budget said.

Asking for him to attend, Ms Jewell said: "It is regrettable that you have not agreed to give oral evidence to our committee, so that we might explore these inconsistencies with you.

"We think that providing clear, accurate and timely information, accompanied by an oral evidence session, would resolve most of these issues."

In his reply, the first minister did not say if he would attend but acknowledged an "error" where £750,000 was not included in a summary of the overall budget.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: 'The first minister made a commitment to attend the committee annually.

"He last attended on 10 May 2023. Diary pressures mean that he has been unable to offer a second date before the end of the spring term."