Morgan 'aware of vampire video'

First Minister Rhodri Morgan has admitted that he did know about a Labour video depicting Wales' Tory leader as a vampire.

The video had been removed from the Labour-supporting Aneurin Glyndwr website after complaints.

Earlier this week Mr Morgan said he had "no advance authorisation or awareness" of plans to develop the website.

But BBC Wales' political editor Betsan Powys said although aware it was not the kind of website he expected.

The video adapted the Tom Jones song Delilah and also showed Plaid Cymru leader and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones in a clown hat.

It was online for less than a week.

A quote from Mr Morgan did appear on the site: "This brand new political website is definitely one to watch!"

During a Labour briefing for journalists at the Welsh assembly on Tuesday, Mr Morgan denied having any prior knowledge of the site's "content or style" and said he had not approved it.

Plaid Cymru's leader and colleagues were mocked in the video

However, Betsan Powys said BBC journalists were "immediately" told by those in Labour circles that those around Mr Morgan had known, and he himself had known about the website.

She said that on Thursday Mr Morgan made it known that he was aware of the website.

"The question now is whether those in the party think Rhodri Morgan has got it pretty wrong here and whether they will attack him about it," she added.

Former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain was among those who promoted the controversial video, which was published ahead of the forthcoming European elections.

Labour MEP Eluned Morgan re-penned the lyrics to the tune of Tom Jones' Delilah.

Her version "Why, why why" claimed Labour's assembly coalition partner Plaid Cymru was against European aid money for Wales.

It also attacks the Conservatives' economic record under Margaret Thatcher.

'Childish'

Describing Plaid as "very shoddy", it said voters should choose Labour rather than Plaid to avoid a breakup of the United Kingdom and increasing poverty in Wales.

In response Welsh Conservatives criticised the video as "childish" and Plaid Cymru said it was "probably the worst website ever produced by members of a mainstream political party".

A statement published on the Aneurin Glyndwr site on Tuesday says: "We have removed our Why, Why, Why? video from YouTube after we were informed that some nats (nationalists) and Tories had complained.

"It's a real shame that these sensitive souls are so easily offended, and find criticism so hard to take! C'est la vie, we think we got our message across."

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