:2024 Welsh government crisis

File:Vaughan_Gething_swearing_in_as_First_Minister_of_Wales.jpg

In February 2024, it was reported that Vaughan Gething, during his successful campaign to succeed Mark Drakeford as First Minister of Wales in the February–March 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election, had received a campaign donation of £200,000 from David John Neal, a business manGwyneth Rees, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/06/fly-tipping-scandal-labour-welsh-leader-vaughan-gething/ 'The fly-tipping scandal that brought down Labour’s Welsh leader'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716135232/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/06/fly-tipping-scandal-labour-welsh-leader-vaughan-gething/ |date=16 July 2024 }}, Daily Telegraph, 6 June 2024 {{subscription required}}; [https://archive.today/20240607041457/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/06/fly-tipping-scandal-labour-welsh-leader-vaughan-gething/ archived] at archive.ph, accessed 17 July 2024 who had previously been convicted twice of environmental offences as head of two companies, Atlantic Recycling and Neal Soil Suppliers.{{cite news |date=21 February 2024 |title=Gwent Levels waste dumping: David John Neal pleads guilty |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-68364722 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222013340/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-68364722 |archive-date=22 February 2024 |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=2024-02-21 |title=Vaughan Gething accepts £200k from environmental offender's company |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-68364722 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229004505/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-68364722 |archive-date=29 February 2024 |access-date=2024-02-29 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} He was described in the press as "unrepentant" in regard to his crimes, being described "[continuing] to show a lack of respect for the rules we enforce and for the health of the environment” by an employee of Natural Resources Wales.{{Cite news |last=Rees |first=Gwyneth |date=2024-06-06 |title=The fly-tipping scandal that brought down Labour's Welsh leader |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/06/fly-tipping-scandal-labour-welsh-leader-vaughan-gething/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} One of Gething's ministerial colleagues, Lee Waters (who supported Miles in the Welsh Labour election), described the donation as "completely unjustifiable and wrong".

The following month, an inquiry by BBC Wales shared letters written by Gething in 2016 and 2018 to Natural Resources Wales, requesting the public body to ease restrictions on Atlantic Recycling. Former Welsh Government minister, Leighton Andrews, was quoted as saying that the donations were "damaging devolution" and called for his fellow party member to return Neal's campaign donation,{{Cite news |date=2024-03-12 |title=Vaughan Gething helped donor's waste offence company |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-68501256 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313132714/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-68501256 |archive-date=13 March 2024 |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{cite news |last=Grey |first=Jack |date=17 March 2024 |title=Vaughan Gething rejects calls to return £200k donation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68590453 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318230454/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68590453 |archive-date=18 March 2024 |access-date=19 March 2024 |work=BBC News}} which Gething refused to do.

Gething also faced questions in April 2024 over "huge" loans made to one of David Neal's companies by the Development Bank of Wales, the most recent being a £400,000 loan made in February 2023 to fund the purchase of a solar farm. The Development Bank of Wales fell under Gething's remit as economy minister during his time in the post from May 2021 to March 2024.{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Will |date=2024-04-22 |title=Firm that bankrolled Vaughan Gething's campaign received £400k in loans of public money |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/firm-bankrolled-vaughan-gethings-campaign-29037313 |access-date=2024-05-25 |work=Wales Online |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716160757/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/firm-bankrolled-vaughan-gethings-campaign-29037313 |url-status=live }}

During the inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic response, Gething stated that he had not deliberately deleted any messages from his phone.{{Cite web |last=Mansfield |first=Mark |date=2024-05-07 |title=Vaughan Gething misled UK Covid Inquiry by not admitting he deleted messages |url=https://nation.cymru/news/vaughan-gething-misled-uk-covid-inquiry-by-not-admitting-he-deleted-messages/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716135448/https://nation.cymru/news/vaughan-gething-misled-uk-covid-inquiry-by-not-admitting-he-deleted-messages/ |url-status=live }} On 7 May, Nation.Cymru obtained text messages from Gething in a Welsh Government group chat, in which he said "I'm deleting the messages in this group. They can be captured in an FOI [Freedom of Information request] and I think we are all in the right place on the choice being made." Gething denied allegations of perjury put to him in by Rhun ap Iorwerth in First Minister's Questions the same day, describing the allegations as 'obnoxious'.{{Cite web |last=Mosalski |first=Ruth |date=2024-05-07 |title=Vaughan Gething denies 'obnoxious' claim he committed perjury at Covid inquiry |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/vaughan-gething-denies-obnoxious-claim-29125885 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Wales Online |language=en |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717144120/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/vaughan-gething-denies-obnoxious-claim-29125885 |url-status=live }} A few days later, he removed Hannah Blythyn from her role as Minister for Social Partnership, alleging that she was the leak of the text messages.{{Cite web |last=Mosalski |first=Ruth |date=2024-05-16 |title=Vaughan Gething sacks member of cabinet over leak |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/vaughan-gething-sacks-member-cabinet-29181297 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Wales Online |language=en |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717144120/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/vaughan-gething-sacks-member-cabinet-29181297 |url-status=live }} She denied this.{{Cite web |title=I am deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened today. I am clear and have been clear that I did not, nor have I ever leaked anything. Integrity is all in politics and I retain mine. 1/2 🧵 |url=https://twitter.com/hannahblythyn/status/1791064957745873131 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518063121/https://twitter.com/hannahblythyn/status/1791064957745873131 |url-status=live }} Blythyn was replaced by Sarah Murphy on 17 May.{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Emily |date=2024-05-17 |title=Sarah Murphy replaces sacked junior minister Hannah Blythyn |url=https://nation.cymru/news/sarah-murphy-replaces-sacked-junior-minister-hannah-blythyn/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB |archive-date=17 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517113240/https://nation.cymru/news/sarah-murphy-replaces-sacked-junior-minister-hannah-blythyn/ |url-status=live }}

On 17 May, Rhun ap Iorwerth announced that Plaid Cymru had withdrawn from the co-operation agreement with Welsh Labour,{{Cite web |last=Hayward |first=Will |date=2024-05-17 |title=Plaid Cymru pulls out of deal to support Labour in the Senedd |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/plaid-labour-co-operation-agreement-29192222 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Wales Online |language=en}} saying "I remain deeply concerned that the First Minister has failed to pay back the £200,000 donation to his leadership campaign from a company convicted of environmental offences, and believe it demonstrates a significant lack of judgment."{{Cite web |last=Mansfield |first=Mark |date=2024-05-17 |title=Plaid Cymru pulls out of Co-operation Agreement with the Welsh Government |url=https://nation.cymru/news/plaid-cymru-pulls-out-of-co-operation-agreement-with-the-welsh-government/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB |archive-date=17 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517153730/https://nation.cymru/news/plaid-cymru-pulls-out-of-co-operation-agreement-with-the-welsh-government/ |url-status=live }} Gething responded by saying that "The co-operation agreement was about mature politics, working together on areas where we agree. While it was always a time-limited agreement, we are disappointed Plaid Cymru has decided to walk away from their opportunity to deliver for the people of Wales."

{{see also|July 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election}}

On 5 June, after just 78 days as First Minister, Gething faced a non-binding vote of no-confidence in him as First Minister, tabled by the Welsh Conservatives led by Andrew RT Davies, in which he lost by a margin of 29 votes to 27.{{Cite web |title=Vaughan Gething: Welsh first minister to face no-confidence vote |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-wales-69091623 |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=BBC News |date=5 June 2024 |language=en-gb |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716135323/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-wales-69091623 |url-status=live }} Welsh Labour MSs Hannah Blythyn and Lee Waters were not present due to illness.{{Cite web |title=Vaughan Gething: Welsh first minister vows to 'carry on' after loseing no-confidence vote |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-wales-69091623 |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=BBC News |date=5 June 2024 |language=en-gb |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716135323/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-wales-69091623 |url-status=live }} Prior to the vote Gething and his allies described the no-confidence motion as a 'gimmick'.{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Emily |date=2024-06-05 |title=First Minister set to defy Senedd no confidence vote |url=https://nation.cymru/news/first-minister-set-to-defy-senedd-no-confidence-vote/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB |archive-date=5 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605173808/https://nation.cymru/news/first-minister-set-to-defy-senedd-no-confidence-vote/ |url-status=live }} Gething responded by saying "I'm here, proud to be the first minister of Wales to serve and lead my country." It was the second such motion to happen, the first being against Alun Michael in 2000.

Despite losing the no confidence vote, Gething announced he would not resign as First Minister on 8 June.{{Cite web |title=Vaughan Gething won't quit after losing vote of no confidence |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1vvqq1pp12o |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=8 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608060826/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1vvqq1pp12o |url-status=live }} However, on 16 July he announced his intention to resign{{cite web |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=16 July 2024 |title=Vaughan Gething resigns as first minister of Wales |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/16/vaughan-gething-resigns-first-minister-wales |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=the Guardian}} an hour after ministers Mick Antoniw, Julie James, Lesley Griffiths and Jeremy Miles stepped down from their posts.{{Cite news |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=2024-07-16 |title=Vaughan Gething's leadership in peril as four Welsh ministers resign |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/16/vaughan-gething-leadership-in-peril-as-four-welsh-ministers-resign |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} He resigned on 5 August 2024 after Eluned Morgan had been elected unopposed as Welsh Labour Leader making him the shortest serving First Minister since the role was created, a record previously held by Michael.{{Cite news |date=16 July 2024 |title=Vaughan Gething quits as Welsh First Minister following resignations from his government |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-07-16/gething-to-be-wales-shortest-serving-first-minister-as-he-confirms-resignation |access-date=16 July 2024 |work=ITV News}}{{Cite news |date=4 February 2022 |title=Alun Michael no longer shortest serving First Minister after Northern Ireland FM steps down |url=https://nation.cymru/news/alun-michael-no-longer-shortest-serving-first-minister-after-northern-ireland-fm-steps-down/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |work=Nation.Cymru |archive-date=26 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226133138/https://nation.cymru/news/alun-michael-no-longer-shortest-serving-first-minister-after-northern-ireland-fm-steps-down/ |url-status=live }} Commenting on the resignation, Michael said Gething was "in effect forced out". He suggested that Eluned Morgan and Huw Irranca-Davies could stand in the Welsh Labour leadership election to succeed him.{{Cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Mark |last2=Deans |first2=David |date=16 July 2024 |title=Gething haunted by his decisions, says Drakeford |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevw4znzz4ko |access-date=17 July 2024 |work=BBC News |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717005643/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevw4znzz4ko |url-status=live }}

On 6 August, Eluned Morgan was appointed by the Senedd as First Minister of Wales. She announced the members of her government later that day, including Huw Irranca-Davies as Deputy First Minister.

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