FIRST Minister Mark Drakeford today had the 'meeting' with Boris Johnson that he has long been calling for to discuss the coronavirus crisis.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held the first COBRA meeting in four months today ahead of addressing Parliament and making a live televised address to the public at 8pm today.

Mr Drakeford said only last Friday that Mr Johnson had not spoken to him for nearly four months - since a brief telephone call on May 28 - a situation he described as "simply unacceptable" given the gravity of the coronavirus pandemic.

He wants better communications to be established between the UK Government and the three devolved governments in regard to the deepening crisis.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The First Minister took part in a UK-wide COBRA meeting today, chaired by the Prime Minister, and attended by the First Ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland and the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

“The meeting discussed a series of UK-wide actions in response to the increase in Covid19 transmission, some of which, such as the need for people to work from home wherever possible, are already in force in Wales. The First Minister will set out which further measures will be implemented in Wales later today.

“The First Minister also welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to having a regular and reliable rhythm to UK-wide decision making – with the devolved governments having a clear and important role in that process.”

Boris Johnson announced a series of measures to slow a second wave of lockdown that are expected to last six months.

These include tougher fines for people breaking face covering guidlance and the Rule of Six. Pubs, bars and restaurants will close at 10pm and people have been asked to work from home if they can.

Mr Johnson said the new measures applied to England only but he expected the leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to announce similar steps.

The devolved governments have all developed differing ways of attempting to control the spread of the virus.

In Wales, local lockdowns are due to start in Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend at 6pm this evening - these areas joining Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Other areas, including Flintshire and Denbighshire, are being monitored and could face local lockdowns.