FIRST MINISTER Mark Drakeford started the new year today by continuing to refuse to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, but restored some of his left credentials with moves to bring services back into the Welsh public sector.

Socialist supporters of Mr Drakeford in Wales ended 2023 by urging him to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and will be disappointed by his continued refusal.

The First Minister told a press conference today that the scenes in the Middle East are shocking and distressing, but declined to join Humza Yousaf, his counterpart in Scotland, in a call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.