A GWENT veteran's representative says Rhodri Morgan's decision not to attend the Normandy D-Day commemorations is a "disgrace".

Secretary of the Newport's Royal Naval Association Doug Piddington was reacting to the news that the First Minister was sending social justice minister Edwina Hart to represent the Assembly at the 60th anniversary ceremonies.

Mr Morgan said he was honouring a long-standing commitment to attend the prize-giving at the Celtic Manor Wales Golf Open and discuss the 2010 Ryder Cup with Newport multi-millionaire Terry Matthews.

But Mr Piddington said: "It's a disgrace. Mr Morgan seems to have concluded that a golf competition comes before those who fought for their country's freedom. A lot of our veterans have made the effort to go out to France. I think I speak for all of them when I say the general feeling is one of disgust at Mr Morgan's action."

Monmouth AM David Davies agreed that the First Minister's priorities were wrong.

Former Territorial Army gunner and current representative of the Reserve Force and Cadet Association Mr Davies said: "I think it is astounding that he has sent someone else to Normandy on his behalf.

"These soldiers risked and gave their lives to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny. It's a disgrace Mr Morgan thinks it is more important to hand out prizes at a golf match."

Last night, Mr Morgan said he had no plans to change his mind. He said it was "entirely appropriate" that Ms Hart was to represent Wales at the ceremony, particularly given her family's military background.

Asked how he would be spending D-Day, he said: "I've got a variety of family and business engagements, one of which is going for meetings at the Wales Open golf championship, and the rest of it will be spent with the family.

"We arranged for Edwina Hart, the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, to go and she's thrilled. It's not as though Wales is not going to be represented at the D-Day 60th anniversary celebrations. It is important that Wales is represented, and we are, by a Cabinet Minister."

The Ryder Cup was "big business", Mr Morgan said. He added he would also be meeting business people at the Celtic Manor resort.

Asked if there was any prospect he would change his mind, he said:

"None whatsoever, and really I'm not familiar with what has happened in Scotland at all. To come up with this two days before the event seems fairly bizarre to me to be honest. It's a totally synthetic story."