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| A gift for a First Minister? A poncho, says Rhodri Morgan | A gift for a First Minister? A poncho, says Rhodri Morgan |
| (3 days later) | |
| By Carl Yapp BBC Wales News | By Carl Yapp BBC Wales News |
| As people unwrap their presents this Christmas BBC Wales has been looking at the sorts of gifts politicians receive in the course of their official duties in a typical year. | As people unwrap their presents this Christmas BBC Wales has been looking at the sorts of gifts politicians receive in the course of their official duties in a typical year. |
| So what do you present to the political leader of nation, such as First Minister Carwyn Jones? | So what do you present to the political leader of nation, such as First Minister Carwyn Jones? |
| Without wanting to cause a diplomatic incident, nothing startling, according to official documents. | Without wanting to cause a diplomatic incident, nothing startling, according to official documents. |
| Mr Jones's predecessor Rhodri Morgan appears to back this up by admitting that some of the things he received during his near 10 years as first minister were "humdrum". | Mr Jones's predecessor Rhodri Morgan appears to back this up by admitting that some of the things he received during his near 10 years as first minister were "humdrum". |
| But some appealed to him, including a poncho from South America and Groggs of rugby stars Gareth Edwards and Gareth Thomas. | But some appealed to him, including a poncho from South America and Groggs of rugby stars Gareth Edwards and Gareth Thomas. |
| Gifts can come from overseas dignitaries, organisations and can be tickets to major sporting events. | Gifts can come from overseas dignitaries, organisations and can be tickets to major sporting events. |
| Those gifts valued up to £260 can either be kept by ministers - in accordance with the ministerial code - or by the Welsh government. | Those gifts valued up to £260 can either be kept by ministers - in accordance with the ministerial code - or by the Welsh government. |
| Among the items presented to Mr Jones in 2011-12 were a crystal bowl valued at £130, three books on Brittany and Breton worth £25 and a replica Ryder Cup trophy, value unknown. | Among the items presented to Mr Jones in 2011-12 were a crystal bowl valued at £130, three books on Brittany and Breton worth £25 and a replica Ryder Cup trophy, value unknown. |
| In 2010-11 a slate plaque, a miner's lamp and abstract artwork of daffodils - all valued at £10 each - were among a number of items he was given. | In 2010-11 a slate plaque, a miner's lamp and abstract artwork of daffodils - all valued at £10 each - were among a number of items he was given. |
| Mr Morgan, who was first minister between 2000 and 2009, said he was given a poncho on a visit to Patagonia. | Mr Morgan, who was first minister between 2000 and 2009, said he was given a poncho on a visit to Patagonia. |
| "It's one of my proudest possessions," said Mr Morgan, 73. | "It's one of my proudest possessions," said Mr Morgan, 73. |
| "I was given it with a pair of silver spurs should I wish to ride on horseback in Wales, but I left those in the office because I hope I'm not a cowboy," he joked. | "I was given it with a pair of silver spurs should I wish to ride on horseback in Wales, but I left those in the office because I hope I'm not a cowboy," he joked. |
| "The poncho is made from very, very rough wool. It would keep you warm on a night under the stars. | "The poncho is made from very, very rough wool. It would keep you warm on a night under the stars. |
| "I don't tend to wear it, only for fancy dress purposes at Christmas to entertain the grandchildren." | "I don't tend to wear it, only for fancy dress purposes at Christmas to entertain the grandchildren." |
| Perhaps one of the more mundane gifts Mr Morgan received was a framed photograph of a completed bypass in Llandysul, Ceredigion. | Perhaps one of the more mundane gifts Mr Morgan received was a framed photograph of a completed bypass in Llandysul, Ceredigion. |
| But the former Cardiff West AM said those sorts of gifts were meant to "sign off a job of work done". | But the former Cardiff West AM said those sorts of gifts were meant to "sign off a job of work done". |
| They also come in the form of tickets for sporting events, such as a rugby match or the 2008 FA Cup final between Cardiff City and Portsmouth. | |
| But often, Mr Morgan said, they would be bottles of wine, "whatever was made in the locality I was visiting, or perhaps it would be a coffee table book". | But often, Mr Morgan said, they would be bottles of wine, "whatever was made in the locality I was visiting, or perhaps it would be a coffee table book". |
| "Some of them (gifts) went into storage, never to be seen again," he added. | "Some of them (gifts) went into storage, never to be seen again," he added. |
| "When you finish as first minister they ask you what you'd like to take with you. I took the poncho and a few others things, including Groggs of Gareth Edwards and Gareth Thomas." | |
| But where did he keep the gifts when he was in office? | But where did he keep the gifts when he was in office? |
| "Well, as first minister you get quite a big room, but I re-jigged it to include secretarial staff so it was smaller," he said. | "Well, as first minister you get quite a big room, but I re-jigged it to include secretarial staff so it was smaller," he said. |
| "But in the office was a big bookcase and that was full of coffee table books from whatever country you were visiting." | "But in the office was a big bookcase and that was full of coffee table books from whatever country you were visiting." |