Four ministers RESIGN from Welsh leader’s scandal-hit government in headache for Keir Starmer
LABOUR’S Welsh Government was in freefall today after four ministers QUIT in protest at their scandal-hit leader.
Embattled Vaughan Gething is fighting to survive as First Minister following the coordinated resignation onslaught this morning.
He has been on the ropes following a row over dodgy campaign donations that saw him lose a confidence vote in the Welsh Assembly earlier this year.
Mr Gething has been trying to limp on ever since but is now facing a mutiny that could spell curtains from his administration.
It marks the first proper political headache for Sir Keir Starmer who has stuck by his Welsh counterpart during the saga.
Among the resignations was economy secretary Jeremy Miles, who ran against Mr Gething for the leadership, said: “We cannot continue like this.”
In a blistering letter he said: “The events of the last few months, including your loss of the confidence vote in the Senedd, have been incredibly painful”.
He added: “It’s essential that we begin to repair the damage immediately, and I have reached the conclusion very regrettably that this cannot happen under your leadership.
“I can’t see any way forward for us which allows us to get on with the job we are elected to do, without you standing down.”
Welsh Culture and Social Justice Secretary Lesley Griffiths also said she would resign “with a very heavy heart”.
She added: “Relationships have fractured and will require goodwill and strong leadership to repair. These unfortunate and deeply saddening events have together impacted significantly on our ability to continue to deliver for the people of Wales.”
Counsel general Mick Antoniw and Housing Secretary Julie James also quit the government in a coordinated strike.
Mr Gething lost a confidence vote in the Senedd shortly after being elected First Minister in March.
It stemmed from a £200,000 donation he accepted during his leadership campaign from a firm owned by a man convicted of environmental offences.
He was also slammed for firing one of his ministers Hannah Blythyn over suspected leaking which she denied.
The saga ultimately led to the Plaid Cymru party to pull out of their power-sharing agreement with Labour.
Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies said this morning: “Vaughan Gething’s time as First Minister is rightly coming to an end.
“But Labour cannot fool the people of Wales. These Ministers, like Jeremy Miles, sat in his Cabinet, they stood by his side, and they are culpable for the breakdown of governance in Wales. Wales will remember.”