Vaughan Gething has quit as the First Minister of Wales less than four months after taking up the post.
The Labour politician was left with little choice but to stand down after four of his ministers quit the Welsh government on Tuesday morning.
Mr Gething has been under pressure in recent months over donations received during his leadership bid and his shock decision to sack former minister Hannah Blythyn.
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He had already lost a vote of no confidence in the Senedd and faced another potentially difficult vote on Wednesday, after the Conservatives tabled a motion to try to compel him to publish the evidence he used to sack Ms Blythyn.
In a statement announcing his resignation, Mr Gething said the decision to stand down had been "difficult."
“Having been elected as leader of my party in March, I had hoped that over the summer a period of reflection, rebuilding and renewal could take place under my leadership.
“I recognise now that this is not possible.
“It has been the honour of my life to do this job even for a few short months."
He added that allegations of wrongdoing on his part were “pernicious, politically motivated and patently untrue”.
“In 11 years as a minister, I have never ever made a decision for personal gain. I have never ever misused or abused my ministerial responsibilities.
“My integrity matters. I have not compromised it.
“I regret that the burden of proof is no longer an important commodity in the language of our politics. I do hope that can change.”
Mr Gething sacked Ms Blythn, claiming she was behind the leak of text messages that appeared to show he had advocated deleting messages that could be revealed under the freedom of information act.
He has also faced repeated questions over a £200,000 donation to his campaign from Dauson Environmental Group, which is owned by David Neal, who has twice been convicted of environmental offences.
It also raised questions about a possible conflict of interest as the money came from a company which was loaned £400,000 by the Welsh government-owned Development Bank of Wales at a time when Mr Gething had been economy minister, although he was not involved in decisions relating to the firm based in his constituency.
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Plaid Cymru - who ended their power sharing deal with Labour after Mr Gething took over from Mark Drakeford - called for a snap Senedd election.
Party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “The people of Wales have lost faith in the First Minister, belatedly he has done that right thing and resigned.
“But the people of Wales are losing confidence in Labour’s ability to govern Wales.
“This could be the third Labour first minister in seven months – a revolving door of chaos.
“Labour has put party interests ahead of the interests of the nation for too long.
“The people of Wales must be given the opportunity to elect a new government and an election must be called.”
Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies said there were questions for Sir Keir Starmer.
He said: “Vaughan Gething’s resignation is long overdue.
“But there can be no doubt that his Labour colleagues, from those who resigned today all the way up to Keir Starmer, have stood by his side and are culpable for the breakdown of governance in Wales.
“Wales will remember.”
Sir Keir thanked Vaughan Gething for his service.
He added: “Vaughan should take enormous pride in being the first black leader of any country in Europe.
“That achievement will have broadened the ambitions and raised the gaze of a generation of young people in Wales and beyond.
“I know what a difficult decision this has been for him – but I also know that he has made it because he feels it is the best decision now for Wales.
“I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he was “very sorry” to hear of the resignation of Vaughan Gething.
Taking to X, he posted: “The Scottish and Welsh Governments work closely together and I look forward to that continuing in the future.”
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