PLAID CYMRU has demanded that First Minister Mark Drakeford sack his health chief for her mishandling of Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board being put into special measures.

Health spokesperson Rhun ap Iorwerth called for Mr Drakeford to take action in his speech to the party conference on Saturday in Llanelli.

He said: “While the placing of the board back in special measures this week was broadly welcomed, Eluned Morgan’s decision to humiliate and effectively sack the independent members of the board has been widely criticised.”

Ms Morgan’s decision to put Betsi Cadwaladr into special measures followed a damning audit report and is the second time it comes under direct government supervision.

All 11 independent board members quit after the minister asked them to stand aside.

They then wrote to Mr Drakeford saying they had “no confidence” in his government’s grasp of the situation and questioned the focus on them instead of the health board’s executive.

Ms Morgan later said it “wasn’t her job to have a grasp” of the situation.

“The people of Wales have lost faith in the Health Minister,” Mr ap Iorwerth said.

“Time and again, she’s evaded scrutiny and shifted blame onto others when challenged with the disastrous outcomes of her own policies.”

He said if she’s not willing to take responsibility the First Minister should do the right thing on behalf of the people of Wales and sack her.

“The patients and staff of Betsi Cadwaladr deserve better,” Mr ap Iorwerth told party members.

A Welsh Labour spokesperson told BBC Wales: “This is pretty desperate stuff from Plaid Cymru.

“The Health Minister is doing an excellent job.”