THE ROW over Peter Mandelson has escalated after the Welsh Government cleared its own dealings with the Labour grandee — as UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of “lying” about him.

First Minister Eluned Morgan ordered a review into communications between Welsh Government officials and Mandelson following pressure from Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.

The investigation examined all correspondence — as well as material from documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein — and concluded there was “nothing which represented a risk to the conduct of Welsh Government business.”

But the findings come as Mandelson is once again at the centre of a growing political storm in Westminster.

Westminster clash

Speaking on LBC, Badenoch claimed Starmer had misled Parliament over Mandelson, saying: “This is a man who tells lies at PMQs… just like he did with Peter Mandelson when he said, ‘I didn’t know the full extent of his relationship’, and the papers… showed the opposite.”

While such language would be ruled out of order in the Commons, the accusation marks a significant escalation in political rhetoric around the issue.

Labour has not yet responded to the claims.

Questions remain

In Wales, ministers insist the matter has been fully examined and closed.

However, the Welsh Government has not published the underlying correspondence reviewed, nor detailed the extent of any contact with Mandelson.

That lack of transparency may leave the door open to further scrutiny — particularly given the wider controversy now unfolding at UK level.

Political risk

Although no wrongdoing has been identified, the timing is sensitive.

With the Senedd election approaching, any perceived links — however indirect — to a figure caught up in a Westminster row involving Epstein-related material could prove politically damaging.

Opposition parties are likely to argue that the issue is no longer just about internal processes, but about public trust.

For now, the Welsh Government is standing by its findings.

But as the row intensifies in Westminster, the Mandelson question may not be going away any time soon.

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been found guilty of stalking following a trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 30).

Steven Delahunty, aged 54, of Upper Market Street, was convicted of pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of a woman.

The court heard that between January 17 and February 6, 2026, Delahunty repeatedly contacted Dyfed-Powys Police requesting welfare checks on the victim, attended her address on a number of occasions, and sent unwanted messages.

Magistrates were told that his actions caused harassment and distress, and that he knew, or ought to have known, the impact of his behaviour.

Delahunty had previously entered a not guilty plea at a hearing on February 11, but was found guilty following the trial.

The bench, comprising Mrs A Taylor-Jones, Mr D Fawcett and Mr R John, granted conditional bail ahead of sentencing.

As part of his bail conditions, Delahunty must not contact, directly or indirectly, the victim or another prosecution witness, and is prohibited from entering their addresses.

The case was prosecuted by Sian Vaughan, with Delahunty represented by Peter Tarr of DGJ Solicitors.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 20, at 10:00am.

WELSH food and drink has been promoted to thousands of international buyers in Japan — but producers in Pembrokeshire appear to have been left out of the spotlight.

A Welsh Government-backed delegation travelled to Foodex Japan 2026 in Tokyo, one of the largest food and drink exhibitions in Asia, attracting more than 70,000 industry professionals.

The event is designed to open doors to lucrative export markets, with Welsh Lamb, craft spirits and speciality foods presented as premium products for overseas buyers.

But despite Pembrokeshire’s strong agricultural base, seafood industry and growing reputation for artisan produce, no businesses from the county were among those showcased.

Global push — local absence

The delegation included Hybu Cig Cymru and Golden Road Gin, alongside a number of established Welsh brands and Japanese importers already working with Welsh suppliers.

While PGI Welsh Lamb — much of it produced in West Wales — was a central feature, the absence of Pembrokeshire-based producers raises questions about who is actually benefiting from the push into global markets.

For many local farmers, export growth is often presented as essential to the future of the industry. Yet access to those opportunities remains uneven, with smaller producers frequently lacking the scale or support to break into international supply chains.

Big talk, familiar questions

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS praised the showcase, saying Wales had an “exceptional food and drink story to tell” and highlighting the importance of building international partnerships.

But on the ground in Pembrokeshire, producers continue to face mounting pressures — from rising costs and labour shortages to ongoing uncertainty around agricultural policy.

The Herald understands that while export events generate headlines, many small and medium-sized businesses struggle to translate that exposure into actual contracts.

Missed opportunity for West Wales?

The Japanese market is known for its demand for high-quality, traceable food — exactly the kind of produce Pembrokeshire is well placed to supply.

From lamb and dairy to seafood landed at Milford Haven, the county has the raw ingredients to compete on the global stage.

However, without stronger support to help local businesses access export networks, there is a growing risk that the benefits of international promotion will remain concentrated among a relatively small group of producers.

The real test

Events like Foodex Japan may boost Wales’ profile overseas — but the real measure of success will be whether that translates into meaningful opportunities for communities at home.

For Pembrokeshire’s farmers and food producers, the question is no longer whether Welsh food can succeed globally.

It is whether they will be given a seat at the table.