Welsh Conservatives today warned that the Welsh language risks being used as a political football in the future unless the new Welsh Language Commissioner's independence is guaranteed.

In a number of amendments to the Welsh Language Measure to be published this morning, Shadow Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Paul Davies AM, has called for the appointment process for the Commissioner to be open, transparent and impartial.

Paul Davies said, "I am disappointed that the Assembly Government has refused to support our aim of a truly impartial and independent Welsh Language Commissioner."

"To ensure impartiality, the Commissioner must be able to work at arm's length from the Government, so it would be extraordinary for Ministers to have the power to appoint someone of their own choosing, without any consultation."

"I strongly believe that the Commissioner should be appointed by the Assembly as a whole so all views can be fairly represented and ensure that the Commissioner is not seen to be partisan in any way."

"Welsh Conservatives are committed to the long-term future of the Welsh language and would not want to see that threatened by party politics."

"In the next stage of the Measure we will continue to call for Welsh and English to be official languages of Wales, confirming in law for the first time our position as a truly bilingual nation."

"I fear that unless the Commissioner is appointed in a fair manner that is beyond reproach, the Welsh language risks being used as a political football."