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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Lydia Stephens

Richard Madeley attacks Wales' non-essential goods policy he calls 'ludicrous'

Richard Madeley has attacked the Welsh Government's non-essential goods ban, describing it as "ludicrous".

The TalkRADIO presenter addressed a listener on his show, Ian from Bridgend, with "bore da" before saying: "It is not bore da though is it, it is a nightmare over there."

Ian agreed with Richard and said: "Labour have been in power here for 20 years and it's one idiotic policy after another".

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The presenter, most famous for being one half of Richard and Judy with his wife Judy Finnigan who he used to present This Morning with, asked the listener what he thought of the Welsh Government's justification for putting the ban on non-essential goods in supermarkets.

He asked: "What do you think of Drakeford's basic argument for this ludicrous ban on selling non-essential items in shops which are otherwise open, like Tesco, screening off aisles with clothes and books and all sorts of other bits and pieces, his decision that they are non-essential?

"Excuse me. Sorry that is our decision to decide what is essential for us."

Tell us what you think of Wales' fire-break lockdown:

The Welsh Government is expected to publish new guidance for supermarkets on Tuesday after a weekend of confusion and criticism among supermarkets and the public.

Ministers met with retail leaders on Monday evening to discuss the issues that were raised over the weekend.

The intention of the ban is to prevent shops selling items like clothes during the lockdown when other retailers which only sold those items would be forced to close as they did not sell food. It was also to reduce the likelihood of people browsing in stores.

On Sunday, following reports that some people had been refused items in emergency situations, the First Minister urged supermarkets to use their "own discretion" when enforcing the rule.

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