Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething Steps Down

LONDON – Vaughan Gething announced on Tuesday that he would step down as First Minister of Wales following the resignation of four ministers from the devolved Welsh government in protest against his leadership.

“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,” Gething said in a statement. “I recognize now that this is not possible.”

Earlier in the day, Counsel General Mick Antoniw, housing minister Julie James, economy and energy secretary Jeremy Miles, and culture minister Lesley Griffiths all resigned.

Gething faced criticism over various issues, including the source of a political donation, the transparency of his disclosures to the COVID-19 inquiry during his tenure as health minister, and his decision to dismiss a minister on accusations of leaking information to the media.