ASSEMBLY opposition leaders united yesterday to condemn the First Minister's absence from the weekend's D-Day commemoration in Normandy.

Despite repeating his apology to veterans for causing any offence Rhodri Morgan was attacked for his insensitivity.

Mr Morgan had spent the anniversary in Newport discussing preparations for the 2010 Ryder Cup with Celtic Manor millionaire Sir Terry Matthews. Mr Morgan told the Assembly: "I have the utmost respect for those who fell, were injured or took part in the D-Day invasion.

"I wish to take this opportunity to apologise to the veterans for any unintended snub."

Mr Morgan went on to explain that he had sent social justice minister Edwina Hart on his behalf because her parents were Second World War veterans and he felt she was the most appropriate person to be there.

Tory leader Nick Bourne opened the attack and said that the only reason he was not calling for Mr Morgan's resignation was that he did not want to be seen "playing politics" with so sensitive an issue.

Mr Bourne said to Mr Morgan: "To represent our nation at the last major chance to thank our veterans in this way is a privilege not a chore and your reasons for not attending were crass.

"Did it not occur to you that the only reason you could spend the weekend with your family, electioneering and at the golf is because those freedoms were won for you by those who gave their lives?"

South Wales East AM and Liberal Democrat leader Mike German said: "The veterans I have spoken to have been clearly distressed by your failure to attend as the representative of the people of Wales.

"Your family, golf and electioneering commitments pale into insignificance next to the importance of remembering those who sacrificed so much so that we could enjoy those freedoms."

Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones added his voice to the criticism saying: "It was your duty to be by the side of those veterans and you now have to accept that you made a grave error of judgement."