OPPOSITION to the UK Government’s Brexit plan has been expressed by Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, in a call for further protection for devolved powers.

Mr Jones yesterday formalised the Welsh Government challenge against the UK Government’s EU (Withdrawal) Bill.

This bill would see all EU laws which affect the UK brought on to the British statute book on the day of Brexit imposing new constraints on devolved powers.

Welsh and Scottish Governments have tabled a joint memorandum setting out their detailed analysis of the bill as it is currently drafted.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said the bill would allow the UK Government to “hijack powers which should come to Wales post-Brexit” and recommended that the Assembly do not grant its consent.

“This is not about stopping Brexit. This is about protecting the interests of the people of Wales,” he said.

“We simply cannot back any law which would see Wales lose influence over areas that are rightfully ours to control”.

He added Welsh Government is willing to work with the UK Government to reach an agreement but warned of a constitutional crisis if the government “plough on regardless”.

“I urge David Davis and his colleagues in Whitehall to seriously consider our proposals and amend the Bill so we can get on with the most important job in hand; securing the best possible Brexit deal for the whole of the UK,” he added.