Plaid Cymru has rounded on the prime minister over the timing of the election.

Party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones issued an angry statement calling on the Prime Minister to make it clear there would be no election until the foot and mouth crisis is under control.

"Any behind-the-scenes spinning for a June poll for the general election would make a mockery of Blair's claim that he is delaying elections in order to deal with foot and mouth," said Wyn Jones.

He echoed William Hague's sentiments. "How can he possibly be sure that the outbreak will be under control by then? It would be totally irresponsible of Tony Blair to announce a June polling day for the general election. His priority must be to deal with foot and mouth, not spend his time bargaining with cabinet colleagues and spin doctors about election dates," argued Wyn Jones.

Blair was guilty of gesture politics and putting his party first, believed Wyn Jones. "His calculation seems to be that a postponement until June will have the appearance of caring without endangering Millbank's carefully-planned election campaign. Our communities need a real commitment to dealing with this disease. Tony Blair's must concentrate on leading during a time of crisis and I call on him therefore to wait until foot and mouth is demonstrably under control before calling an election," he said.