Mark Drakeford has responded to dozens of pubs in Wales banning him. The First Minister said he was “extremely relaxed” when asked about the position of the owners of several pubs in North Wales, who said they were not welcome on their premises following the 2020 row over Covid rules.

Drakeford, who announced last week that he would step down as First Minister next year, told PA News: “I feel extremely relaxed about it. My visit does not threaten you, so you better relax. It comes after Phil Ash, chairman of Llandudno Pub Watch and vice-chairman of West Conwy Pub Watch, said Drakeford would struggle to find a pint in the 90 pubs across North Wales.

Ash previously said he and his fellow advertisers were “extremely pleased” to hear the news of the Welsh Labor leader’s resignation and claimed the retail and services business had become a “blow” to his politics. Ash said: “Mark Drakeford is not welcome in our pubs and never will be because of the damage he has done to all pubs during the pandemic.

“We are already around 90 participants and Mark Drakeford is still banned. “Most bars and businesses are still struggling because of this.” For the latest analysis on the biggest stories, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.