A TORY minister was told to come clean yesterday over how much public cash was wasted trying to overturn a Welsh government policy to protect agricultural workers.

Labour shadow farming minister Huw Irranca-Davies demanded to know how much was spent on twice challenging the establishment of an agricultural workers’ wage board for Wales in court.

Cardiff’s Labour government is setting-up the board after a similar body, which set wage for rural workers across Britain, was scrapped by the Tories last year.

The Supreme Court yesterday threw out the Westminster government’s argument that the Welsh government did not have the power to do so.

Mr Irranca-Davies asked how much the Con-Dem’s two court appeals cost the taxpayer. 

But Welsh Office minister Stephen Crabb refused to disclose the sum, insisting the appeals were necessary “to seek clarity.”

Wales TUC general secretary Martin Mansfield said the Supreme Court decision would be “welcomed by thousands of agricultural workers” across the country, who collectively stand to lose around £1 million a year in falling pay without the Agricultural Wages Board agreements.

He said that many in the sector worked long hours in tough jobs that attracted only around 75 per cent of the average wage.

“It is totally unacceptable that this court hearing was instigated by the UK government and the Welsh government has been vindicated in its efforts to restore fairness to the industry in Wales,” Mr Mansfield added.