Welsh Conservative David Melding quits Senedd frontbench over controversial bill

David Melding pictured right with the Welsh Conservative leader Paul Davies

A Welsh Conservative politician has quit the party's frontbench in the Senedd in opposition to a Conservative Government Bill which modifies the Brexit deal signed with the EU.

David Melding said recent decisions by Prime Minister Boris Johnson had "done nothing to lessen" his anxieties about the future of the UK.

Ministers have acknowledged that provisions in the UK Internal Market Bill are in breach of international law.

But they argued legislation is necessary to protect the Northern Ireland peace process if the UK and EU are unable to agree a free trade deal before the current Brexit transition period runs out at the end of the year.

The devolved administrations in Cardiff and Edinburgh have accused Downing Street of a power grab with the Bill.

Mr Melding had been the Welsh Conservatives spokesman for culture and communications and shadow Counsel General and is due to retire from the Senedd at next year's elections.

He has represented South Wales Central since the start of devolution in 1999 and posted his resignation letter to Welsh Conservatives leader Paul Davies in a tweet.

In the letter, Mr Melding said he had had "misgivings for some time about aspects of the UK Government's approach to developing a new relationship with the EU".

"The publication today of the Internal Market Bill has done nothing to lessen my anxieties about the dangers facing our 313 year old Union," Mr Melding said.

"Indeed they have been gravely aggravated by the decisions made in the last few days by the Prime Minister.

"It is clearly not feasible for me to continue in my post of shadow Counsel General while holding such reservations."

Mr Melding said he would now be able to speak out against "what I consider to be a lack of statecraft at this crucial time for the UK's very survival, as a multi-national state".

He added he would continue to offer Mr Davies "all possible support from the backbenches".

In reply, Mr Davies said: "I'm sorry to lose David from my shadow cabinet, he has been a fantastic ambassador for the Welsh Conservatives over 20 years that he has been a Member of the Welsh Parliament.

"I'm grateful that he will continue to support me from the backbenches."