This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-42985949
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Carwyn Jones could be replaced this year, says Labour AM | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Labour AM has said Carwyn Jones could be replaced as Wales' first minister and Welsh Labour leader this year. | |
Cardiff Central AM Jenny Rathbone said the possibility of this happening is "certainly on the agenda". | |
Mr Jones faces an inquiry into his sacking of communities secretary Carl Sargeant, who was later found dead. | |
Economy Secretary Ken Skates said there were party "tensions" during the Alyn and Deeside by-election campaign but denied any movement against Mr Jones. | |
The first minister did not campaign in the constituency with the successful Labour candidate, Mr Sargeant's son Jack, who won with 60% of the vote. | |
He had been chosen by Labour to fight the by-election caused by the death of his father, who had been sacked from government and suspended by Labour following allegations, which he denied, about his personal conduct. | |
Mr Jones has been criticised for his handling of the sacking and Paul Bowen QC is currently leading an independent inquiry into the matter. | Mr Jones has been criticised for his handling of the sacking and Paul Bowen QC is currently leading an independent inquiry into the matter. |
Ms Rathbone gave her views to political commentator Gareth Hughes in a podcast. | |
The backbench Labour AM was asked whether Wales would have a new first minister at some point this year. | |
She replied: "There are certainly plenty of runners and riders already declaring their hand. | |
"So it's certainly on the agenda." | |
Speaking to BBC One's Wales Live programme on Wednesday night, Mr Skates said Jack Sargeant's win was for the "whole Labour movement" but acknowledged there had been problems. | |
"I'm not going to deny there have been tensions but the fact of the matter is that Jack won," he said. | "I'm not going to deny there have been tensions but the fact of the matter is that Jack won," he said. |
"There were concerns at times... but equally I have never ever experienced a campaign where there is such a warmth that you get from people on the doorstep. | "There were concerns at times... but equally I have never ever experienced a campaign where there is such a warmth that you get from people on the doorstep. |
"People were behind Jack." | "People were behind Jack." |
Asked if the first minister had the support of Labour assembly members, Mr Skates said: "I can tell you there is no movement against him. | Asked if the first minister had the support of Labour assembly members, Mr Skates said: "I can tell you there is no movement against him. |
"I know there is always speculation about who is going to be next, who is the next leader? There's nothing new in that. | "I know there is always speculation about who is going to be next, who is the next leader? There's nothing new in that. |
"I know that there will be a lot of speculation but the fact is Jack's going to be coming down next week. He is focused on delivery for the people of Alyn and Deeside." | "I know that there will be a lot of speculation but the fact is Jack's going to be coming down next week. He is focused on delivery for the people of Alyn and Deeside." |
Former Welsh Labour Government minister Leighton Andrews told the programme that Mr Jones's presence in the campaign would have been "very divisive". | |
He added: "I think the campaign and all the circumstances surrounding it inevitably raise questions about the leadership of Welsh Labour in the National Assembly." | He added: "I think the campaign and all the circumstances surrounding it inevitably raise questions about the leadership of Welsh Labour in the National Assembly." |
Irish lawyer James Hamilton is leading a separate inquiry into whether Mr Jones misled the assembly last November, when the first minister said no one at the top of his government had complained about bullying back in 2014. | |
'Mini-dictators' | |
On the podcast, Ms Rathbone was asked if she had seen signs of bullying in the Welsh Government as chair of a committee overseeing use of EU funds in Wales in 2015. | On the podcast, Ms Rathbone was asked if she had seen signs of bullying in the Welsh Government as chair of a committee overseeing use of EU funds in Wales in 2015. |
She said: "Not in carrying out my duties on that committee, no, but there certainly were people who didn't take kindly to anybody challenging their position. | She said: "Not in carrying out my duties on that committee, no, but there certainly were people who didn't take kindly to anybody challenging their position. |
"They were mini-dictators. | "They were mini-dictators. |
"So yes, I wouldn't be surprised at the remarks made by others that there was bullying going on. | "So yes, I wouldn't be surprised at the remarks made by others that there was bullying going on. |
"I'm afraid to say that I think that is a definite possibility, but we obviously await the outcome of the inquiry." | "I'm afraid to say that I think that is a definite possibility, but we obviously await the outcome of the inquiry." |
A spokesman for the Welsh Conservatives said: "Something must be very wrong for senior Labour AMs to talk of 'mini-dictators' at the heart of their own government. | A spokesman for the Welsh Conservatives said: "Something must be very wrong for senior Labour AMs to talk of 'mini-dictators' at the heart of their own government. |
"And it's now open season on Carwyn Jones - with Labour AMs publicly admitting that an imminent change of First Minister is on the agenda." | "And it's now open season on Carwyn Jones - with Labour AMs publicly admitting that an imminent change of First Minister is on the agenda." |