TORY claims that the Welsh government is overspending internationally were rejected by the First Minister’s office yesterday.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar wrote to First Minister Eluned Morgan, criticising her government’s £4.6 million expenditure last year maintaining 20 overseas offices.

Ms Morgan’s spokeswoman pointed out that Mr Millar had told the BBC recently that “anyone who wanted to be first minister needed to have a presence on the international stage.”

She added: “Our international offices link Wales with the world, support our economy by attracting trade and investment and support Welsh businesses with export markets.”

The Tory leader also called for the immediate closure of the 20 offices, with the money redirected to front-line services.

But the Welsh government pointed out that “our offices in India have helped build our relationship with the country and has resulted in many nurses and doctors being recruited from India to play important roles in the Welsh NHS.”

Mr Millar’s letter said: “International relations are not devolved matters, yet the Welsh government continues to waste millions on maintaining overseas offices that make little difference to most people in Wales.”

Despite the years of Westminster Conservative austerity cuts, Mr Millar highlighted the strain on public services across Wales and questioned the millions spent on offices abroad.

“The Welsh government should work with the UK government to ensure that Wales’ interests are adequately promoted overseas, using UK embassies as necessary,” Mr Millar said.

“We work very closely with the UK government to promote Wales on the international stage,” said the Welsh government.