WELSH First Minister Mark Drakeford has been admitted to the Gorsedd Cymru — the society of Welsh bards — in recognition of his government’s defence of the Welsh people during the Covid pandemic.

Arch-druid Myrddin ap Dafydd praised the Welsh Labour leader’s prioritisation of public health throughout the crisis, and his faithfulness to the job in hand despite vicious attacks from sections of the London press.

A visibly moved “Mark Pengwern,” to use his new bardic name, accepted the award to stormy applause, saying he did so in part on behalf of Welsh health and care workers.

Mr Drakeford then attended a Labour Party event to celebrate 100 years of unbroken Labour victories at elections in Wales.

In a session chaired by Cynon Valley MP Beth Winter, Cardiff University Professor Richard Wyn Jones said Labour’s achievement in topping the polls in Wales for 100 years was “unprecedented in the world.”

Mr Drakeford said its success was down to “authenticity.

“We are a Welsh Labour Party. And when the people of Wales vote Labour they can be sure it is a Labour government they get.”