PLAID Cymru councillors in the Vale of Glamorgan have slammed Conservative Vale MP Alun Cairns over comments he made on BBC One’s Question Time programme.

Mr Cairns appeared to link Plaid with xenophobic action taken against migrants in Welsh-speaking communities on the political debate show on Thursday, October 6.

Sat alongside Plaid leader Leanne Wood, he claimed “direct action” had been taken against non-Welsh people in Wales.

Addressing Ms Wood he said: “Many of your members have taken direct action in the past, many have broken the law to that effect, and I would hope that you would condemn them.”

He added: “It wasn’t so long ago that some of the cottages were being burned down.”

Mr Cairns has faced calls to apologise following the comments.

Vale councillor and Plaid opposition leader, councillor Chris Franks said it was “very sad” to hear a member of the UK Government talking in this manner.

Cllr Franks said: “I'm sorry to say he has let himself down. Plaid Cymru is an outward looking and internationalist party. We are more interested in building bridges than building walls.

“He has probably done himself a great deal of harm and not just with Welsh speakers. He likes to project himself as a strong supporter of the language. These offensive comments will alienate him from many people who love the language.

“He is guilty of peddling the type of myth which breed hostility and undermines decent communities. He really should find a way of withdrawing these offensive remarks as quickly as possible.”

Barry Town Council Plaid group pleader, cllr Shirley Hodges said the comments were “untrue and unfair”, but it was “easy to see why he came out with such vile nonsense.”

Cllr Hodges said: “I’m glad that Wales has moved on as a country and that his words are recognised as rubbish by the people and have caused an outcry. A few decades ago he could have said these same very nasty comments and gotten away with it."

She added that she believed the comment brought Mr Cairn's "character and credibility" into question.

Mr Cairns did not respond to a request for comment.