Lib Dem leader hits back at critics

The Wales party boss is due to thank his supporters

The leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Welsh Assembly is expected to hit back at his critics, at the party's Wales conference.

Mike German is expected to attack political opponents and the media regarding coverage of the police investigation over allegations of fraud at the European arm of the Welsh examinations board which he formerly headed.

Unfortunately, my patience is still being tested

Liberal Democrat leader Mike German

In his speech at the Llandudno conference it is thought, the Lib Dem Welsh Assembly boss will thank most - but no means all - members of the party for their support over the past year.

The police probe led to him standing down as the Welsh Assembly's deputy first minister and economic development minister under the party's power-sharing deal with Labour.

The Llandudno conference comes at a crucial stage for the Lib Dems - the 2003 assembly election will be the first since they formed the partnership government.

That move has left the party with the challenge of establishing a distinct identity from Labour and much effort over the weekend will be focussed on finding ways to promote its agenda for Wales.

But the issue of Mr German's continued absence from frontline politics is expected to be tackled head on.

Mike German is to talk of his patience being "tested"

He is expected to say: "I was hoping - as my speech has undergone the tireless drafting process of the last few weeks - that I would, at this stage, have been able to speak to you once again as a minister in the National Assembly's government.

"Unfortunately, my patience is still being tested."

"It has not been an easy time but, as you would expect in times of adversity, I have learnt a lot about myself and about my political values.

"I believe that I am a stronger Welsh Liberal Democrat today than I was a year ago."

In his address to the Welsh party faithful, UK Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has told delegates to "go out and sell the advantages of the euro".

He said: "We have to tell people about the extra jobs it will bring, the lower mortgages, the cheaper prices, the boost to trade, the savings made in currency transactions when you move from one European country to another."