A furious row has broken out after a Welsh Government minister said she didn't want to see "the Union Jack all over the Royal Welsh Show".
Environment Secretary, Lesley Griffiths, clashed with former Welsh Tory Leader, Andrew RT Davies, in a Welsh Assembly Committee, stating she no longer wants to see the British flag at the agricultural event.
Mr Davies challenged Mrs Griffiths to clarify her comments stating that Wales is a proud part of the United Kingdom.
It comes after the main food-hall, normally the showcase for Welsh food, was taken over by Union-Flag emblazoned “Food from Britain”.
This was apparently demanded by DEFRA, the Whitehall department in charge of farming in England which isn’t responsible for Welsh agriculture.
In a discussion about food tourism Ms Griffiths said she was "disappointed" to see the Union Jack at the food hall, was "very annoyed about the sponsorship deal" and is "keen that it doesn't happen again."
'Last time I looked we were part of the UK'
Mr Davies said: "I was a bit surprised at the language that you used, minister.
"You said 'does not happen again' and that you were annoyed.
"Last time I looked, we were part of the United Kingdom.
"I see no problem with us linking up with colleagues in other parts of the United Kingdom to offer a strong presentation, a strong offer.
"So, was your annoyance because you were outbid for the job, and so the Royal Welsh did have an option that they could choose, either Welsh Government or the UK promotion offer? Because, surely, there should be nothing to be annoyed about about having that joint platform to promote the virtue of Welsh produce and UK produce.
'I want to see the Welsh dragon all over the food hall'
"And, in particular, the language used—'does not happen again'—what do you propose to do to make sure it doesn't happen again, then? Because I'd very much like to see greater collaboration."
Mrs Griffiths replied: "Okay. Well, we come from very different sides, then, because I don't want to see the Union Jack all over the Royal Welsh Show food hall, to be perfectly frank."
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After further discussion, she added: "I, personally, want to see the Welsh dragon all over the food hall. Were we outbid? No, I don't think it was a consideration, was it? I think they just did this deal. So, no, it's nothing.
"My annoyance has nothing to do with being outbid. 'It doesn't happen again': I don't want to see the Union Jack on the food hall.
"Now, it could be that they might say, 'Well, you will need to fill that sponsorship gap' and they would need money, and I will have to look at that within my budget.
"So, that's what I mean by, 'It doesn't happen again.' But, no, I'm sorry, I don't agree with you."
When Mr Davies said he thinks her views are "hugely concerning," she replied: "I'm sorry you find it concerning.
"I don't think the majority of people would share that concern, because I think we have fantastic food and drink producers who can absolutely fill that hall. We don't need anybody from outside of Wales."
Mr Davies later said: "People are proud to see the Welsh and Union Jack fly side by side, and we should be utilising the strengths and qualities of both to further Wales’s interests."
To read the full transcript, click here
