'Too early' to know if Burnham will back more Welsh powers, says first minister

It is "too early" to know whether the new Labour prime minister will agree to the Welsh government's calls for more powers, Wales' first minister has said.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth held his first face-to-face meeting with Andy Burnham in Glasgow on Thursday.

Speaking afterwards, ap Iorwerth said Burnham had been "serious" about discussions in an "open spirit".

The Welsh government wants powers over policing and justice, rail infrastructure and the Crown Estate to be devolved from Westminster to Cardiff.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the prime minister wanted an "open and ongoing dialogue with the first minister on the issues that matter most across Wales".

On Wednesday, Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock said he was not yet "entirely convinced" by the case for handing additional responsibilities to the Welsh government.

Asked by BBC Wales what response there had been to the devolution proposals during Thursday's meeting, ap Iorwerth said: "To be fair, I think it's too early to have that response.

"What I take heart from, both from our [phone] conversation earlier this week and from our face-to-face meeting today, is that he's serious about having those conversations and discussions in a positive and open spirit."

After former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer was accused of bypassing Welsh ministers, undermining devolution, ap Iorwerth was asked whether he had received an assurance that Burnham's administration would not do the same.

Ap Iorwerth did not answer the question directly, but said he had told Burnham he expected him to be "more willing to listen to what's needed to make devolution work for Wales", given his background as mayor of Greater Manchester.

He added: "The point I made was that, in order to empower communities and people, which is really important to me and the prime minister, we have to make sure that we have an empowered Senedd and an empowered Welsh government.

"He gave me an assurance that he sees it that way too."

This was Rhun ap Iorwerth's first face-to-face meeting with a UK prime minister since becoming Wales' first minister in May.

During his only previous conversation with Sir Keir, which took place by phone, ap Iorwerth raised the issue of Welsh independence.

Asked whether independence had featured in Thursday's discussion, ap Iorwerth said Burnham was aware of his ambition for Wales and his long-standing support for independence.

"Everybody knows that I believe in Wales and our ability to be just a normal nation.

"I have a very clear vision of what Wales could be in future, and I'll do everything I can to take us there.

"I also have a very clear vision of the things that we need to do now, and it's good to know that the prime minister is eager to have that conversation with me."

A Downing Street spokesperson said Burnham had stressed his commitment to working "co-operatively" with the Welsh government and wanted an "open and ongoing dialogue with the first minister on the issues that matter most across Wales".

The spokesperson said the two leaders had also discussed growth and investment, and agreed to continue talks in the months ahead.

Both men were in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on Thursday.

The prime minister also held talks with Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney.