Plaid Cymru leader sparks row by defying travel advice to go on ‘fact-finding’ trip to tinderbox Kiev
- Adam Price landed in Ukraine on Saturday along hard-Left anti-war activists
- Government advice is to avoid all but essential travel to Ukraine as war looms
The leader of Plaid Cymru was at the centre of a row last night after he embarked on a ‘fact-finding mission’ to Kiev.
Adam Price and Labour Welsh government minister Mick Antoniw landed in Ukraine on Saturday, along with their delegation of hard-Left anti-war activists and trade union members.
They were accused of ‘madness’ for ignoring the Government’s advice to avoid all travel to Ukraine.
The delegation, which includes union chiefs Mick Whelan and Chris Kitchen, said the ‘fact-finding mission’ would express ‘solidarity’ to the Ukrainian working class
The delegation, which includes union chiefs Mick Whelan and Chris Kitchen, said the ‘fact-finding mission’ would express ‘solidarity’ to the Ukrainian working class.
They planned to ‘hear evidence from workers in the Donbas region’ so they can ‘separate truth from propaganda’.
The eastern Ukrainian area has been ravaged by fighting with Russian-backed separatists since 2014.
But Tom Giffard, a Tory member of the Welsh parliament, said: ‘With everything going on there, this seems so, so stupid.’
Aides said Mr Price and Mr Antoniw were travelling ‘in a personal capacity’.
Mr Price defended his decision yesterday and said: ‘If we want to see Wales truly connect with the world, then we must reach out in meaningful ways.’
The city of Donetsk in the Donbas region has ties to Wales as it was founded by John Hughes, a 19th century Welsh ironmaster.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: ‘Our travel advice is clear – British nationals should not travel to Ukraine.’
Source: Read Full Article
