Plaid MEP Jill Evans was scathing in her criticism of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown following his address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

He came to speak to MEPs ahead of the G20 Summit in London on 2 April which will focus on co-ordinating plans to tackle the global economic crisis.

The Plaid MEP called on Mr Brown to come to Wales and explain why he intends to cut £500 million from Wales's budget in the middle of a recession.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Ms Evans said:

"Gordon Brown asked to come to Strasbourg to talk about how we get through the global economic crisis. At the same time he was planning devastating blows to the Welsh economy. We in Wales not only face the global crisis but a second crisis which will be created by Gordon Brown himself next year when he cuts £500 million from Wales's budget.

“Will he come to the Assembly and explain to the people of Wales how we can provide desperately needed services without the money to do it?

"The One Wales government under the lead of Economic Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has taken speedy action to give practical help to businesses, communities, homeowners and workers to help them weather the storm and plan for a more sustainable future.

“Plaid is working hard for the people of Wales - Gordon Brown seems determined to undermine those efforts."

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