Welsh first minister quits job after resignation of four ministers

By Mehmet Solmaz

Birmingham, England (AA) - Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething announced on Tuesday that he is resigning after just four months in the position.

His decision came hours after four ministers in his government resigned amid the ongoing row over donations to his Labour leadership campaign.

Gething had previously ruled out resignation calls after losing a vote of no confidence in the Welsh parliament Senedd, in June.

In a statement, he said: “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 recognize now that this is not possible. It has been the honor of my life to do this job even for a few short months.”

Gething has been embroiled in controversy since he took over, and dogged by questions over a £200,000 ($260,000) campaign donation from a businessman convicted of environmental offences.

In his resignation statement, Gething says claims of wrongdoing are "politically motivated" and he did not compromise his integrity.

The Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said 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 (UK Prime Minister) Keir Starmer, have stood by his side, and are culpable for the breakdown in governance in Wales," he added.