Vaughan Gething: Welsh first minister to face motion of no confidence | UK News


Welsh first minister Vaughan Gething is set to face a motion of no confidence next week.

Mr Gething has only been in post since March, but his government has since been through what he described as a “difficult” time.

The motion of no confidence has been tabled by the Welsh Conservatives, the largest opposition party in the Senedd, and is set to take place on Wednesday 5 June.

Mr Gething has faced questions over a controversial £200k donation to his leadership campaign from a man convicted of environmental offences.

He has refused calls for the money to be returned and remaining funds have instead gone to “wider progressive causes”.

He has said the donation was within the rules but has commissioned a review of future political donations.

Leaks and sacking

Mr Gething was also accused of having misled the COVID Inquiry after a text message emerged in which he said he would delete messages in a ministerial group chat.

The first minister insisted the messages related to internal Labour Party matters.

Read more on Sky News:
Sunak and Starmer to go head to head in first leaders’ TV debate

Tories want to replace ‘rip-off degrees’ with 100,000 new apprentices a year
Rachel Reeves refuses to rule out further tax rises

He then sacked a minister in his government, Hannah Blythyn, for allegedly leaking them to the media – allegations she denies.

Plaid Cymru, a pro-Welsh independence party, then pulled out of its deal with Labour in which it supported the government on dozens of key issues.

‘Infighting’

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said Senedd members would have their say on Mr Gething’s “judgement, his transparency, and his truthfulness”.

“It’s time to put an end to the obfuscation, the drift and the infighting and vote no confidence in Vaughan Gething,” he added.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said it was Labour and Keir Starmer who would ultimately decide if Mr Gething continues in post.

“In accepting £200k from a convicted polluter we obviously believe Vaughan Gething has undermined the office of first minister and the people of Wales’ confidence,” he said.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has given his backing to Mr Gething.

Sir Keir told reporters on the campaign trail for the general election that the first minister is “doing a good job”.

“I’m looking forward to being with him in this campaign where we will campaign together for, what I hope will be, the next Labour government,” he added.



View Original Source Here

You May Also Like

Back to imperial? Government confirms consultation on ‘overbearing’ metric measurement rules

A government consultation that could mean greater use of imperial measurements will…

2.6 million jabs given to 2.3 million people – but UK told vaccine ‘not a free pass’ to ignore rules

More than 2.6 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been given to almost…
Nigel Farage: Man arrested after objects thrown at Reform leader during Barnsley bus trip | Politics News

Nigel Farage: Man arrested after objects thrown at Reform leader during Barnsley bus trip | Politics News

A man has been arrested after objects were thrown at Nigel Farage…

Cameron and Sunak set to be quizzed by MPs over Greensill lobbying controversy

Former prime minister David Cameron and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are set to…