BRECON and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams has defended voting with Labour after opposition parties blocked Carwyn Jones’ confirmation as First Minister.

The Labour leader had been expected to be confirmed once more as First Minister after his party won 29 of the 60 Assembly seats at last week’s election.

But in a shock move at the first sitting of the new Assembly on Wednesday Plaid Cymru nominated its leader Leanne Wood as First Minister, with the Conservatives and Ukip backing her.

The might of the combined opposition meant Labour needed the support of Ms Williams, the Assembly’s sole Lib Dem, just to tie the vote - and force an adjournment.

Ms Williams took to Twitter to defend voting with Labour and dismissed the plan hatched by the opposition groups.

She tweeted: "A ragtag coalition with UKIP does not represent my politics and is not something I would contemplate."

After a Twitter user told Ms Williams he was disappointed she wouldn’t "side with Plaid" the Lib Dem replied: "I’m disappointed Plaid want to side with UKIP!".

The Welsh Lib Dems also tweeted from the official party account: "Under no circumstances will we work with UKIP. We are disappointed that Plaid seem to think that is a viable option."

Plaid Cymru has said Labour, as the biggest party, were given the opportunity to reach an agreement on forming a government but said it had failed to gain the support of the majority of AMs.

The Assembly will now meet again to try and elect a First Minister though if there is no agreement after 28 from the May 5 election Wales will face another election.