Labour minister who told Conservative AM that she was not worthy of an answer to a question

At both the Assembl/Senedd and Westminster the problem from the Prime Minister and First Minister down,  of them not  directly answering questions persists .

But this is a new low,

BBC News says. that.

A Labour minister who told a Conservative AM that she was not worthy of an answer to a question has apologised to the assembly.But Janet Finch-Saunders said it was disappointing Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has not said sorry to her personally.Ms Griffiths refused to answer a question in the Senedd from Ms Finch-Saunders about flooding last week.A spokesman for the Welsh Government said it had nothing further to add.Last week the Aberconwy AM pressed Ms Griffiths on the time taken for financial help to be announced for people affected by Storm Ciara.In an angry response, the rural affairs minister objected to Ms Griffith's tone, adding: "You can smirk Janet Finch Saunders, I'm not even going to look at you."I fact, deputy presiding officer, I don't think she's worthy of an answer.Deputy Presiding Officer Ann Jones, who was overseeing the proceedings, said "okay, fine", and called the next AM with a question..In a letter to the Aberconwy AM, Ms Jones said she had spoken to the minister and "emphasised that discourteous conduct towards other members is not acceptable"."The minister has apologised and I have accepted her apology on behalf of the assembly," Ms Jones wrote.She added that she had asked the minister to provide a written answer to questions that were not addressed, "and I understand the minister will offer you an apology".Ms Griffiths did write to Ms Finch-Saunders on 3 March, but did not apologise in the letter."She has a duty to respond to the scrutiny and challenge posed," the Tory AM said.Ms Finch-Saunders said the lack of an apology was "disappointing" and it would have been in Ms Griffith's interest to apologise directly.She said she would be seeking an apology through the Presiding Officer, Elin Jones.

Why  Deputy Presiding Officer Ann Jones did not  directly admonish , the minster then and there  is a mute point , though she is a Labour Member.s to ensure that minsters answer questions made to them and not evade them.

Prime Minister/ First Minister  Question Time is a farce , and I can't remember when opposition questions are answered .

Instead we get either rambling blather ot attacks on the politics of the party asking the question..

The fact that Ms Finch-Saunders, is a Tory should not distract ,from this appalling behaviour from both thr Minster and indeed Deputy Presiding Officer .

It's not only Opposition Members who need to be treated with respect it's the voters who ned answers to thier concerns as wel...