News

LIVE – Welsh Government ministers quit and call for First Minister to go

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2024

FOUR senior ministers of the Welsh Government have dramatically tendered their resignations in a bold protest against the leadership of First Minister Vaughan Gething.

Among those stepping down are Jeremy Miles, a prominent contender for leadership, along with Julie James, Mick Antoniw, and Lesley Griffiths.

The resignations come amidst mounting discontent within the Welsh Government, culminating in a sharp call for change at the top. Jeremy Miles, who recently held the position of Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Welsh Language, expressed profound disappointment in a statement on social media earlier today. He lamented the recent tumultuous months, including a challenging no-confidence vote, describing them as “incredibly painful.”

Cabinet Secretary Julie James, responsible for Housing, Local Government, and Planning, became the third minister to resign this morning, adding weight to the growing dissent. Meanwhile, Mick Antoniw, the Counsel General, announced his departure with a sense of regret, stating, “With great sadness I am resigning from the Welsh Government.”

The wave of resignations underscores deep-seated concerns over the direction of leadership under Vaughan Gething, prompting urgent calls for his resignation. The ministers have been unequivocal in their stance that Mr. Gething “must leave office,” setting the stage for a potentially tumultuous period in Welsh politics.

UPDATE: 11:45 –

FIRST MINISTER Vaughan Gething has announced his resignation.

Gething did not offer any apologies for the events of the past few months or for his campaign donations.

He expressed that he had hoped for “rebuilding and renewal” under his leadership over the summer.

“I recognise now that this is not possible,” he stated.

He described this period as the most challenging time “for me and my family”.

“A growing assertion that some kind of wrongdoing has taken place has been pernicious, politically motivated and patently untrue,” he declared.

“In 11 years as a minister, I have never made a decision for personal gain. I have never 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.

“To those in Wales who look like me – many of whom I know feel personally bruised and worried by this moment, I know that our country can be better. I know that cannot happen without us.”

He added that he would discuss a timetable for the election of a new leader.

UPDATE: 11:15 –

Adrian Masters, ITV Wales’ Political Editor has said on X, formerly Twitter, that Vaughan Gething is to step down as First Minister and Welsh Labour Leader today.

UPDATE: 10:34 –

Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, has also said Mr Gething should quit. He told Herald.Wales: “Vaughan Gething’s time as First Minister is rightly coming to an end. But Labour cannot fool the people of Wales.

“These Ministers, like Jeremy Miles, sat in his cabinet, they stood by his side, and they are culpable for the breakdown of governance in Wales. Wales will remember.”

UPDATE: 10:23 –

Here are some of the resignation letters which were shared on X, formerly Twitter, this morning:

THIS PAGE IS UPDATING: As the situation continues to unfold, stay updated with our live coverage by refreshing this page for the latest details.

Crime

Carmarthen man admits takeaway burglaries

Published

11 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Phillip Roberts stole cash from USA Chicken and returned the following day with intent to steal

A CARMARTHEN man has admitted a string of burglaries at the same takeaway business on consecutive days.

Phillip Roberts, 44, of Brewery Road, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three offences connected to USA Chicken on Blue Street.

The court heard that on June 4, Roberts entered the premises as a trespasser and stole a tip jar containing cash. He also admitted a second burglary at the same business on the same date, during which £50 cash was stolen.

A further offence took place on June 5, when Roberts entered USA Chicken as a trespasser with intent to steal.

Magistrates adjourned sentence for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. The report will consider all sentencing options, including possible committal to the Crown Court.

Roberts was granted conditional bail. He must not enter USA Chicken, Blue Street, and must not contact Mustafa Baksi, either directly or indirectly.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 1 for sentence.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service urges public to ‘choose wisely’ as pressures continue

Published

12 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has issued a fresh appeal to the public following the declaration of a critical incident on Friday (June 26), as exceptionally high demand continues to place pressure on crews across Wales.

In a social media post published today (Saturday, June 27), the Trust warned that hot weather is contributing to a rise in ambulance call-outs, including incidents involving heat-related illness, falls, breathing difficulties and existing medical conditions worsened by the heat.

The message comes less than 24 hours after the service declared a critical incident amid unprecedented demand, with ambulance resources stretched across Wales.

The Trust is urging people to call 999 only for serious or life-threatening emergencies, contact NHS 111 Wales for urgent health advice, and use local pharmacies for minor illnesses and ailments.

It said choosing the right service can help ambulance crews reach the sickest patients more quickly while pressures remain high.

Crime

Six arrested after immigration raids at Florentino’s restaurants

Published

13 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX people have been arrested following Immigration Enforcement raids at Florentino’s Italian restaurants in Tenby and Carmarthen.

Officers visited the Tenby branch in St Julian’s Street on June 18, where two Romanian nationals were identified as allegedly having no right to work in the UK. Both were arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Tenby operation followed an earlier raid at Florentino’s in Carmarthen in February, where four workers — two Romanian nationals, a Bangladeshi national and a Mongolian national — were also arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Herald previously reported in March that the Carmarthen restaurant had been linked to a major HMRC case, after Claudio Cernat Ltd, formerly trading as Florentino’s on Jacksons Lane, was listed over a £278,000 deliberate tax underpayment and a further £186,000 penalty.

Immigration officials say inquiries are now under way to establish who may be liable for employing the individuals. Employers found to have breached illegal working rules can face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.

One of the Tenby workers has already returned, while the other is in the process of returning. Of the Carmarthen workers, two have returned, one was placed on immigration bail and another was de-arrested with a warning.

Immigration Enforcement Lead for Wales, Richard Johnson, said: “I want to thank my officers who showed the highest levels of professionalism under challenging circumstances on these operations.

“Immigration Enforcement teams in Wales continue to work round the clock to ensure businesses play by the rules and those with no right to be in the UK are tracked down and returned at the earliest opportunity.”

The Home Office says illegal working enforcement has increased significantly since July 2024, with raids and arrests rising across the UK and Wales.

No finding has yet been made against the restaurant operators in relation to the latest arrests.

Florentino’s has been approached for comment.