A BID to delay Wales' controversial police merger until after next year's Assembly elections was yesterday described as a ploy to avoid lost votes.

Wales social justice minister Edwina Hart's request for a 12-month delay to the merging of police forces in Wales was released in a written statement last week.

Mike German AM described the announcement as "one of the quietest and least publicised statements ever issued by the Assembly government" and criticised its failure to speak out over merger plans.

Tory AM David Davies said: "I welcome any delay to the merger as it gives us more time to prove our case.

"But I am suspicious of the timing. This government has a track record of avoiding unpopular decisions whenever an election is coming up."

Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood also raised concerns that the delay is an attempt to postpone the decision until after Assembly elections.

She describing the move as a "desperate attempt to save face" as critcism of merger plans grows.

In her statement, Ms Hart described the April 2007 target date set by the Home Secretary as "ambitious".

She said: "I therefore intend to suggest to the Home Secretary that he should consider establishing a shadow authority from April 2007 and allow a further 12-month period to implement the required changes." An Assembly administration spokesperson said: "Itisnonsense to suggest that weare using delaying tactics.

"Therearemanypractical,logisticalissuesthatneedtobeputinplace.Ashadow authorityfortwelvemonthswouldallowforproperproceduresandarrangementstobeestablished-aswasthecaseintherun-uptothenewlocalauthorities."

Home secretary Charles Clarke believes an all-Wales force is the best way to police the country - but the Argus is battling to save Gwent Police, a force with an enviable detection record.

All four Welsh forces, including Gwent, rejected the plans, citing concerns over the speed of change, funding and community policing.