WELSH Conservatives leader Nick Bourne has admitted he "got it wrong’’ when opposing the setting-up of the Welsh Assembly in 1997.

Mr Bourne was one of devolution's fiercest critics around the time of its establishment, fearing it could cause a break-up of the UK.

But this morning he featured at a press conference of people who had "changed their minds’’ about the assembly and were now in favour of voting Yes in Friday's referendum.

Mr Bourne said: "I was never someone who was in favour of the Welsh Assembly.

"Back then I was concerned the Assembly would be divisive but I am willing to admit I got it wrong.

"The nation and politics has moved a long way since then.’’ The Tory AM said while the assembly had delivered a great deal for the people of Wales, the current process of legislative competence orders (LCO) having to be approved by Westminster before becoming laws was convoluted and like "an eternal hall of mirrors’’.

He added: "The Welsh public should have the right to determine their own affairs. We need this next level of decision-making.’’ Mr Bourne said his change of heart had been a gradual process and not prompted by a single event.

He also denied suggestions that AMs wanting to have more powers was an act of selfishness.

"Being in favour of the Yes campaign is not about self-seeking,’’ he said. "It will be more cost-effective and I believe it is the right thing for the people of Wales.’’ Today's event, organised by campaign group Yes For Wales, took place in The Novotel hotel in Cardiff and also featured Ebbw Vale Food Bank manager Adrian Curtis and independent Vale of Glamorgan councillor Richard Bertin- both of whom said they were now in favour of the assembly having more powers.

It came following the weekend announcement that Catholic leaders in Wales would welcome strengthening the "democratic legitimacy’’ of the institution.

A statement was circulated to read at the end of masses last Sunday, saying the Assembly was in line with the Catholic principle of subsidiarity - where decisions should be taken as closely as possible to the citizen.

It was signed by the Bishop of Wrexham, the Right Reverend Edwin Regan, Bishop of Menevia, the Right Reverend Tom Burns, and Monsignor Robert Reardon, diocesan administrator for the Archdiocese of Cardiff.