THE first minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has said Wales' future in the UK should be reassessed if the Union was no longer fully formed of the four nations.

Pro-Welsh-independence party Plaid Cymru has described the comments as "significant".

BREAKING: First Minister Mark Drakeford admits that Wales should consider independence if Scotland votes to leave the UK, during questioning from @DelythJewellAM at @SeneddEAAL. #indyWales pic.twitter.com/Nby7dWt121 — Plaid Cymru (@Plaid_Cymru) July 8, 2019

During questioning at the Welsh assembly, Drakeford said: "If you believe the UK is a voluntary association of four nations you have to face the possibility that some component parts of the United Kingdom may no longer choose to be part of it.

"If that were to be the case in future then of course, any sensible political party or government would have to reassess Wales’ place in the components that were there in the future.

"So in that sense it can’t possibly be unconditional because there are other moving parts here of which we are not in control."

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Delyth Jewell, Plaid’s shadow international relations minister, explained why the comments were significant to Wales.

"The significance of this development cannot be overstated - this is a monumental day in the history of the Welsh nation as a Labour first minister finally admits that independence has to be seriously considered as offering the best future for Wales.

"As the ongoing political crisis engulfing the UK shows no sign of abating, the only responsible course of action for Welsh government now is to urgently begin the work of scoping out how an independent Welsh state would function.

"The first minister must therefore announce an in-depth review of our current fiscal situation in order to prepare us for independence day, building on the excellent work contained in the Government Expenditure and Revenue Wales report by the Wales Governance Centre."

The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford commented on the development, posting: "Even Wales' Labour First Minister is coming to the realisation that the nations of the UK should be able to decide between independence and Boris Johnson's Brexit Britain. What will it take for Scottish Labour to finally come to this realisation as well?"

Even Wales' Labour First Minister is coming to the realisation that the nations of the UK should be able to decide between independence and Boris Johnson's Brexit Britain. What will it take for Scottish Labour to finally come to this realisation as well? pic.twitter.com/VyJwMuwT28 — Ian Blackford (@IanBlackfordMP) July 8, 2019

Welsh independence is supported by party Plaid Cymru.