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Former Minister’s statement piles pressure on Vaughan Gething
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A FORMER minister sacked by Vaughan Gething for allegedly leaking to the media made a dramatic personal statement in the Welsh Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 9).
Hannah Blythyn told Senedd members she had not leaked information to the media, was never shown any evidence that showed she had done so and was never told she was under investigation.
ECONOMIC WITH THE TRUTH
Mr Gething has refused to publish the information he relied upon to dismiss Ms Blythyn and refused to hold a formal leak inquiry. The First Minister has also blocked disclosure of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. The Code for Westminster is publicly available.
The First Minister dismissed Hannah Blythyn from his government after a leak revealed that he had not disclosed information about Welsh Government decisions to the UK Covid Inquiry.
In the message published on Nation Cymru, Mr Gething said he would delete the exchange to avoid its disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
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He originally claimed the messages were “internal Labour group discussions”. However, that is untrue. The leaked exchange relates to ministerial discussions of arrangements to grade students’ exams during the pandemic.
Mr Gething could be recalled to answer questions about what other information he deleted or has not disclosed.
The First Minister has previously absented himself from the Senedd Chamber when he is the subject of criticism.
On Tuesday, the Presiding Officer, Elin Jones, called Ms Blythyn to make her statement immediately before Mr Gething unveiled his legislative programme.
Tapping his fingers impatiently and with a face that could curdle milk, the First Minister had to sit there and take it.
GETHING SACKED MINISTER WITHOUT DISCLOSING EVIDENCE
Hannah Blythyn began her statement by saying there had been times when she was unsure “I would or could stand or speak” in the Senedd debating chamber again.
“Whilst I will not share the detail, I will share that I have formally raised concerns about the process by which I was removed from government, including not being shown any alleged evidence before being sacked, not being made aware that I was ever under investigation and that at no point was I advised or was it evidenced that I may have broken the ministerial code.”
Ms Blythyn acknowledged that it was “within the gift of any first minister to appoint and remove members of their government.”
But in a possible reference to the circumstances around the death of Carl Sargeant, the MS said she had “very real concerns that lessons have not been learned from the past”.
She said there had been “speculation about my circumstances and whether I have been well enough to work”.
“This has ranged from what was tantamount to misinformation and what can be put down to misunderstanding.
“It should not be surprising that what happened has been hugely detrimental to me on a personal level and led to acute anxiety and stress.”
Ms Blythyn continued: “We’ve talked about kinder politics often in this place, but we cannot have kinder politics without kinder people.
“We won’t get to better politics without being better people.
“It has been a privilege to serve in my country’s government, particularly under the leadership of Mark Drakeford.”
MORE QUESTIONS FOR FM TO DUCK
The Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies said the comments “raise more questions for the first minister”.
“People will now rightly ask whether the first minister publicly sacked Hannah without sufficient evidence that she was guilty of leaking,” he said.
“The personal consequences for Hannah of that sacking were clearly enormous, and the first minister owes her a full and humble apology.”
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth wrote to Mr Gething urging him to publish the evidence supporting his sacking of Ms Blythyn.
He called on the first minister to make an “urgent statement in the Senedd tomorrow setting out your response to the concerns raised in today’s personal statement by the member for Delyn”.
THE STAKES RAISED
Pressure on Mr Gething after the disastrous start to his tenure as First Minister eased when Rishi Sunak called a snap General Election. However, despite Labour’s victory in the Westminster poll, things look far less rosy for Labour in Wales.
The Party’s vote share in Wales dropped on July 4, and the First Minister’s personal approval rating is desperately poor, falling behind Rhun ap Iortwerth’s and Andrew RT Davies’s.
A poll for Barn Cymru shows Labour support for the 2026 Senedd elections at an all-time low and suggests that Labour might lose its death grip on the Welsh Parliament.
Hannah Blythyn’s statement heightens the focus on Mr Gething’s judgement and lack of transparency.
MSs unwilling to rock the boat during the General Election campaign could now be emboldened by Ms Blythyn’s full-on denial of the claims against her by the First Minister.
If Mr Gething cannot come up with a convincing explanation for her dismissal that flatly contradicts the former minister’s statement, discontent will grow, especially amongst the overwhelming majority of his colleagues who did not back him in the Labour leadership election.
Personal factors also come into play. Hannah Blythyn is popular, and Mr Gething is not.
The real danger for Mr Gething is that he might believe he has evidence to support his decision but cannot disclose it because of its source or how it was gathered. In that case, there is no way he can win the battle with Hannah Blythyn, and it could cost him his position sooner rather than later.
News
Plans submitted for homes for the elderly in Milford Haven
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A COUNCIL scheme to build 24 affordable homes for the elderly at the site of the former Motor World building in Milford Haven has been submitted to planners.
W B Griffiths & Sons Ltd, on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council, is seeking approval for the construction of a new residential redevelopment to comprise 24 affordable apartments for the elderly at 70A-80A Charles Street.
It is proposed to build 21 one-bed apartments and three two-bed apartments at the four-five storey building, along with a communal residents’ lounge on each floor, 10 on-site parking spaces, soft landscaping and trees.
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The proposed building will be four-storeys from Charles Street to the north and five-storeys from Barlow Street to the south due to the change in topography from north to south.
The former Motor World site was cleared in 2018 to enable redevelopment, with planning permission granted on the site for the development of 15 affordable apartments for over-55s in 2020.
The area had been an eyesore for several years before demolition; former councillor Stephen Joseph saying at the time the flats scheme would fill “a great big ugly hole in the town centre that’s been there a long time now,” adding at the time: “The previous building was an eyesore.”
Back in 2021, site contractors WRW construction, which had a number of projects ongoing in Pembrokeshire, including building 33 affordable homes on the site of the former Johnston CP School, as well as work in Tiers Cross, was put into administration by its directors under what was described as, ‘significant financial stress’.
The latest application, submitted through agent DPP Planning, follows a public consultation earlier this year.
DPP Planning, in its consultation statement for the latest application, has previously said: “The council has now instructed W B Griffiths, a Pembrokeshire-based construction company, to develop the site subject to a number of changes.
“The main change is to increase the number of apartments on site to 24 to make best use of the site by increasing the availability of affordable homes for over-55s.”
In its new supporting statement, which references flats for the elderly, it says: “In March 2023, Pembrokeshire County Council re-tendered the scheme to a number of contractors based on the original scheme, but with a revised brief to increase the number of dwellings. This initiated a significant material amendment to the scheme. The new brief increased the number of apartments from 15 to 24 to be achieved within the footprint of the original scheme.”
It adds: “The design proposals aim to place a new building within Charles Street which respects the existing character of the street in terms of form, scale and materials, but which also delivers a building, which is immediately recognisable within the street through its design quality and the sense of place it creates.”
The application will be considered by planners at a later date.
News
Former Wales first minister Vaughan Gething will stand down at next election
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FORMER First Minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed that he will step down at the next election and does not intend to pursue a role in his successor’s cabinet.
The Cardiff South and Penarth MS stepped down from his role as First Minister in July after four of his cabinet ministers resigned. Speaking at a constituency event this evening, Mr. Gething informed party members that he will not seek re-election in 2026.
In a statement released tonight, Mr. Gething said: “The unwavering support of local members throughout my 13 years of representing them has been a significant source of strength, particularly during these recent months. I take pride in having worked alongside them since the late 1990s, first as a campaigner and then as a councillor before my election to the Senedd. I have always been mindful that the platform I hold in public life is built on the foundations of our movement.”
He added that he had informed First Minister Eluned Morgan of his decision not to seek a role in her upcoming cabinet reshuffle, which is expected soon.
“Eluned is an exceptional public servant, always putting the country first. We have collaborated for many years, and she deserves full support for her bold vision for both Wales and our party. I will continue to serve my constituency until 2026 and remain committed to advancing the causes of social justice that initially inspired my journey into public service.”
Reflecting on his career, he said, “As a Welshman born in Zambia, it has been a profound honour to serve in the Welsh Government for over a decade. The opportunity to make meaningful change alongside inspiring individuals and movements has been an immense privilege. It is something I will always hold dear.”
Mr. Gething’s resignation as First Minister came after 118 days in the position, with his departure finalized on August 6th, when Eluned Morgan was named as his successor. His tenure marked him as both the first black leader of Welsh Labour and the shortest-serving Welsh First Minister in the history of devolution.
The 50-year-old former lawyer has represented Cardiff South and Penarth since 2011 and held key roles, including Economy Minister and Health Minister, during the pandemic under Mark Drakeford’s administration.
First Minister Eluned Morgan expressed her gratitude, saying, “Vaughan Gething has made an indelible contribution to Wales during some of the most challenging times we’ve faced.
“From navigating us through the pandemic to securing critical investments like the semiconductor industry, Vaughan has consistently delivered results, advancing devolution in Wales.
“He has always been a team player, offering support and kindness to myself and others, even during moments of intense pressure. I have no doubt that Vaughan will continue to make a significant impact on our country in the future.
“Thank you, Vaughan, for everything you have done for Wales.”
News
Pembrokeshire crematorium megalith plans submitted
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PLANS for an extension to Pembrokeshire’s Parc Gwyn Crematorium, with a new memorial garden featuring a stone megalith “in a more natural setting,” have been submitted to county planners.
Pembrokeshire County Council, which owns the existing Parc Gwyn Crematorium, near Narberth, is seeking permission for a change of use of adjacent agricultural land to a memorial garden, along with associated ancillary development including access, parking, an entrance canopy, two shelters, a megalith stone structure, seating, footways, bird nest box poles and landscaping.
A supporting statement accompanying the application states: “The proposal involves creating a garden designed with the objective of providing a nature-rich experience for those wishing to gather, reflect and remember. Seating areas, paths and contemplative zones are to be sensitively interspersed within a wildflower meadow and trees.
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“The existing crematorium site is set amongst formally presented memorial gardens with large lawn areas, rockeries, trees and shrubs. With greater awareness of the nature emergency, it is anticipated that the demand for more natural settings in public services will increase. Therefore, by proactively providing a more natural memorial space, Pembrokeshire County Council is taking a long-term approach to green infrastructure provision.”
It adds: “The natural memorial garden would be an extension to the outdoor space currently available at the Parc Gwyn crematorium site, with provision for burial of ashes and memorials also provided.
“The provision of this space would see the transformation of an agricultural monoculture pasture to a setting in which nature is allowed to thrive. This would represent a diversification of opportunities for quiet reflection in a natural setting, better reflecting the different needs of those served by the Parc Gwyn site.
“The layout of the path network has been designed to allow different lengths of looped walks from the entrance point to the natural memorial garden. In addition to surfaced paths, there will also be mown paths within the meadow areas. By offering a range of options, the garden can cater for diverse user preferences and needs, enhancing the overall value and appeal.
“The structures within the garden (shelters, seating and memorials) are to be designed to fit with the setting of a natural garden. These are to be of natural materials (wood and stone) and rustic in style to blend into the landscape. The majority of the site is to remain as open space to preserve the natural character and provide ample room for memorial activities.”
The scheme will be considered by county planners at a later date.
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