World Cup trip for two Welsh ministers cost taxpayers £13k

A TRIP to the World Cup for Mark Drakeford and his economy minister has cost taxpayers £13,000, it has emerged.

The First Minister of Wales defied criticism around Qatar’s human rights record by travelling to Doha for his home nation’s game against the United States on Nov 21.

Vaughan Gething attended his nation’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of England eight days later.

A Freedom of Information request has now revealed the five-figure cost of their trip, which Mr Drakeford had previously justified as a “very special opportunity” to promote Wales.

Jane Dodds, the Welsh Lib Dem leader, said: “What these freedom of information requests show is what we long suspected, human rights have taken a back seat in the Welsh government’s priorities during its engagements with Qatar in favour of investment deals.

“There is also a question over whether spending £13,000 of taxpayers’ money on a trip for two ministers to Qatar is good value for money, especially in a cost of living crisis.”

Ms Dodds called on Mr Drakeford to shut the office of the Welsh government in Qatar.

She also suggested the Welsh Labour Party should donate £13,000 of its own funds to human rights charities.

Asked why he was not following the lead of Sir Keir Starmer in boycotting the tournament, Mr Drakeford said the arguments about why people had chosen not to go were “real and to be respected”.

“In the end, our conclusion was that people in Wales would not have wanted to see a seat for Wales left empty.

“It really is a very special opportunity to promote Wales on the world stage,” he added.

Mr Drakeford said millions of pounds had been invested by the Qataris in a new gas terminal in Wales. He also said he had held meetings with businessmen while in the Middle East.