Plaid MEP Jill Evans has accused the Labour party of hypocrisy in their attitude towards the Welsh language. Ms Evans' criticism followed an attack by Labour MEP Eluned Morgan on plans to boost the status of the Welsh language in Europe.

Ms Evans - who represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament - said people would find it hard to understand how Ms Morgan could square her role as chair of Cymdeithas Cledwyn, set up to counter Labour's unpopularity in certain Welsh speaking parts of Wales, with opposing co-official status for Welsh in the EU.

Jill Evans has been campaigning to improve the status of Welsh in the EU and has won the support of the Welsh Assembly and UK Governments. Preparations are underway that will allow Welsh speakers and organisations in Wales to use Welsh in correspondence with the EU institutions. There will also be limited arrangements for Welsh interpretation at EU official meetings.

Speaking ahead of a meeting on Tuesday night in Bangor where she will address Plaid members, Jill Evans MEP said:

"I have been fighting hard to get official status for the Welsh language in Europe and I was disappointed that a Welsh speaking Labour MEP opposed Welsh getting the same rights as other languages such as Basque or Catalan. Her opposition is all the more surprising since we have the backing of the One Wales and UK Governments.

"So much of our daily lives is influenced by the European Union and I think it's vital that people in Wales should be able to communicate with the EU institutions in Welsh as well as English.

"This new status would also lead to more jobs in the translating sector, particularly in rural Wales, as so much translation work can now be done remotely through the internet and e-mail.

"It's all very well for labour to publish a report with a vague list of pledges, but what we need is action. If Ms Morgan really is interested in helping the Welsh language then I hope she will support co-official status for Welsh in the European Union. After all, it is only right that people in Wales have opportunities to use the Welsh language when communicating with the European institutions.

"Some in the Labour party might like to claim they're supporters of the Welsh language, but when it comes to real commitment and action, it's another story."

Diwedd/Ends.