THE Tories’ “flawed, damaging and divisive” Trade Union Bill was blocked by the Welsh Assembly yesterday in a vote that could spark a constitutional power struggle in the courts.

The governing Labour Party united with opposition Plaid Cymru and Lib Dem AMs to deny legislative consent to the legislation in Wales by 43 votes to 13.

Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews described the Bill as “punitive, vindictive and breaching the devolution settlement.”