A former First Minister of Wales has joined press regulator IPSO’s complaints committee as a lay member.

Carwyn Jones, pictured, ran the Welsh government for nine years from 2009 to 2018 before being succeeded by Mark Drakeford.

Now he is taking on a new role as a member of the committee which rules on complaints against newspapers and websites.

His is one of two new apppointments announced by IPSO yesterday, with former editorial director of delicious. magazine Karen Barnes joining its board.

Chair of IPSO, Lord Faulks KC, said: “I’m delighted to announce these appointments which bring valuable experience and broad perspectives to IPSO’s work of upholding editorial standards.

“Karen Barnes is a highly respected editor. Her extensive and current knowledge of magazines – as she joins us only weeks after her departure from her editorial role at delicious. – will be a huge asset to IPSO’s efforts to ensure our work is relevant and valuable across all sectors that we regulate.

“Carwyn Jones spent nine years as First Minister of Wales. His deep and varied experience will be of huge value to the Complaints Committee. He is a lawyer with experience of diverse issues including constitutional law, disciplinary panels, planning decisions, charity governance, rural affairs, and planning decisions.

“As a lay member, he will bring his excellent analytical skills, knowledge and judgment to protecting the public and freedom of expression.”

Responding to his appointment, Mr Jones said: “The principle of freedom of expression is hugely important to me and for society at a time when journalism and journalists are under attack around the world. It is crucially important that there should be freedom to debate and question.

“There needs to be extensive and sometimes robust questioning of those involved in political decision-making and for the public to have access to a wide range of news sources and viewpoints.

“It is also important of course to make sure that editorial standards are as high as they can be. The public need to have confidence that those standards have been applied in articles that they read.”

Added Karen: “Over the past twenty years the media landscape has changed beyond recognition. It is an honour to join IPSO – an organisation committed to upholding the standards and ethics of journalism. It’s vital for there to be robust, independent regulation in order to defend freedom of expression and protect the public.”