Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth to unveil ministers for new Welsh government

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth to unveil ministers for new Welsh government14 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleDavid DeansandAdrian Browne ,Wales political reporters Rhun ap Iorwerth became the first non-Labour leader of a Welsh governmentPlaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth has been confirmed as Wales' first minister, calling it "the greatest privilege of my life". The party leader was elected in a roll call of politicians at the Senedd's first meeting since his party's historic election victory. Ap Iorwerth, the first non-Labour head of the Welsh government, said he was "eager to repay the trust that the people in Wales have placed in us".

Reform's Welsh leader Dan Thomas said his party would be a "robust opposition" that would hold Plaid to account. Ap Iorwerth was officially sworn in by Mrs Justice Stacey, after a delay of several hours for the Senedd to receive a royal warrant from King Charles III. But he told the waiting media that after waiting 100 years for his party to lead government, a few more hours "shouldn't be too much of a problem".

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He's expected to appoint his government ministers on Wednesday on his first full day in office and unveil them at the Welsh government's headquarters in central Cardiff. What does Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth do next after election victory? Fed-up voters wanted something new from Wales' big election - will they get it?

Speaking on the steps of the Welsh government's Cathays Park in Cardiff on Tuesday, ap Iorwerth said it was "an historic day - a shift, I hope, in the way Wales is governed". Asked what message he would be giving Westminster now Wales has joined Scotland and Northern Ireland in having pro-independence governments, ap Iorwerth said his loyalty would "be to the people of Wales". "I will endeavour in all I do, working constructively with the UK government, to get the best deal for Wales," he said.

He added that it would include "working with others where we have common ground across these islands". In a speech to the Senedd after he won the vote for first minister on Tuesday, ap Iorwerth said: "Something has stirred in the soul of Wales. "A new confidence, a new hope.

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A new broader horizon, never to be narrowed again. "From this historic moment onwards every person in every part of our nation can know that the government of Wales is their government. "Matthew Horwood/Welsh governmentAp Iorwerth's affirmation was overseen by High Court judge Justice StaceyAp Iorwerth promised his government would be there to "serve everyone in every community, urban and rural, old and young, whether they speak Welsh or do not".

"Where there is common ground, we will make every effort to find it," he said. "And where unfairness and injustice threaten the fabric of our nation, we will turn that mission of kindness and tolerance into support for those who need it most.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.