Comments from the Green Man Festival managing director raise further questions about Welsh Labour ministers’ purchase of Gilestone Farm, Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies has said.

Speaking to BBC Wales, Fiona Stewart claimed the £4.25million purchase by taxpayers was the Welsh Government’s idea.

Ms Stewart claimed ministers “came to her” with the proposal, and the festival would have preferred to buy the land themselves.

This does not align with previous comments from Economy Minister Vaughan Gething, who claimed the Welsh Government purchased the farm to secure the festival’s long-term future in Wales.

Ms Stewart also compared the model to the Welsh Government’s purchase studios for Bad Wolf, a production company later sold to Sony for £60million.

Mr Davies said he was supportive of the Green Man, and that it brought many benefits to the Mid Wales economy.

But he said scrutiny of public funds was important and other businesses would be “bemused” taxpayers’ money was used in this way.

Mr Davies said: “These comments raise further questions for Labour ministers, who have insisted the taxpayer had to foot the bill to secure the Green Man’s future.

“The festival’s managing director has now contradicted this. She’s claimed the whole thing was the Welsh Government’s idea, and that Green Man would’ve preferred to buy the land themselves.

“The comparison with Bad Wolf is also concerning. There should be no need for taxpayers to stump up cash for successful companies.

“Labour ministers bought Gilestone Farm above the market value, with no business plan.

“We all want the Green Man to succeed. But Labour ministers must be held to account when they spend £4.25million of taxpayers’ cash.”