Vaughan Gething has vowed to carry on as First Minister of Wales despite losing a no-confidence vote, saying he is “proud to be the First Minister of Wales to serve and lead my country”.
He lost the vote on his leadership in the Senedd on Wednesday, with 29 votes against him to 27 for.
The motion follows the collapse of the co-operation deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru and a series of rows involving Mr Gething.
I’m here, proud to be the First Minister of Wales to serve and lead my country. That’s what I’ve done today, it’s what I’ll carry on doing
The First Minister told broadcasters: “I’m here, proud to be the First Minister of Wales to serve and lead my country. That’s what I’ve done today, it’s what I’ll carry on doing.”
He added that it was a “very disappointing afternoon,” branding the motion a “transparent gimmick” that was impacted by two members of his party being unwell.
“To go into a position where the ill health of two of our members has affected the outcome of the vote. On ill health grounds we have always paired, that means you even up people in one party to another.
“We did that for more than three months with the leader of the Conservative Party.”
The motion was non-binding and will not force Mr Gething to stand aside from his role as First Minister but the result will be embarrassing for him.
Mr Gething was visibly emotional during the debate and could be seen wiping tears from his eyes.
Speaking to broadcasters, he said his integrity had been brought into question.
He said: “Where is the evidence I have ever done anything in a way that I should not have as a minister?
“I can tell you there is no evidence of that because it has not happened.
“Today was an exercise in muck-throwing – the range of different things that were said that members know are simply not true is really quite disgraceful.”
