A month after losing a vote of no confidence in the Senedd, Vaughan Gething is set to face another knife-edge crunch vote.
The Welsh Conservatives have tabled a motion for debate in the Senedd next week in which they will try to compel the First Minister to publish the evidence he used to sack Hannah Blythyn from the Welsh Government.
This comes after Blythyn made a personal statement in the Senedd claiming to have never leaked to the media about her Labour colleagues.
Her statement was in direct contradiction to the First Minister and his Health Minister, who claim there is evidence that Blythyn leaked communications to the media. Vikki Howells, Labour Senedd backbencher and one of Gething’s most loyal backers, has said she is content with the First Minister’s reasons for sacking Blythyn.
If the Welsh Tory motion passes, Gething may be forced to release any evidence. The motion makes reference to Section 37(1)(b) of the Government of Wales Act 2006, which grants the Senedd the power to require the First Minister to produce documents relevant to the exercise of Welsh Ministers’ functions.
Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said:
“Yet again, because he will not provide any answers voluntarily, the First Minister has to be dragged kicking and screaming to the Senedd.
“The First Minister expects us to take his word for it that he had evidence to sack Hannah Blythyn, but sadly, thanks to his behaviour in office, the people of Wales cannot take his word for it.
“It’s time to get answers, and I hope Members across the Senedd will join us next week in voting for transparency in government.”
