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The UK government has refused to provide Wales' First Minister with a car his trip to Brussels.

Mark Drakeford is in Brussels today to meet the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and the European Parliament's Secretary General Klaus Welle.

The First Minister is planning to use the trip to press the case to EU leaders that "there are parts of the UK who remain willing to work constructively with EU leaders".

But those comments have not gone down well with senior officials in the Foreign Office - which usually provides support to the leaders of devolved administrations when travelling abroad on official business.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt claims Mr Drakeford's remarks and visit undermines UK Government policy - so therefore won't allow the Welsh Labour leader to use a UK government car during the trip.

That decision by Tory leadership hopeful Mr Hunt has been branded "pathetic" and "childish".

A UK Government spokesman said: "The UK Government’s extensive network of diplomatic staff regularly provide support to the UK’s devolved administrations for visits relating to areas for which they have a devolved responsibility.

"However a balance must be struck to avoid supporting activities intended to campaign for policies contrary to Her Majesty's Government's position.



“On this occasion, the Foreign Secretary has requested that the Welsh Government provide its own logistical support for this visit.



“As a responsible Government, we must be certain that our effort and resources overseas are focused on furthering the objectives of Her Majesty's Government.”

Lee Waters, Wales' Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, blasted the decision.

He said: "It is pathetic. Our First Minister is representing Wales at a meeting in Brussels and has been told by the UK Foreign Office that he can only have access to a car if he toes the line."

Mr Drakeford is not the only leader to have had Foreign Office support withdrawn.

Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who is also headed to Brussels, was given the same treatment.

A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon branded the decision as childish.

He added: "Jeremy Hunt is in the middle of a Tory leadership campaign and the Tory leadership contenders appear to be lining up one by one to do our job for us - if it's not Boris Johnson making horrendous gaffes on tax it's Jeremy Hunt saying that Scotland should represent itself internationally."