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Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies quits Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies quits
(35 minutes later)
Andrew RT Davies has quit as leader of the Conservative group in the Welsh Assembly after seven years in charge.Andrew RT Davies has quit as leader of the Conservative group in the Welsh Assembly after seven years in charge.
He had been criticised within the party for suggesting firms like Airbus were undermining Brexit by warning they could close UK plants.He had been criticised within the party for suggesting firms like Airbus were undermining Brexit by warning they could close UK plants.
In a statement Mr Davies said he was resigning with "deep regret" after a group meeting on Wednesday.In a statement Mr Davies said he was resigning with "deep regret" after a group meeting on Wednesday.
Theresa May said the Welsh Tories had been a "strong voice for the people of Wales" under his leadership.Theresa May said the Welsh Tories had been a "strong voice for the people of Wales" under his leadership.
On Friday, the pro-Brexit AM had accused Airbus - which employs more than 6,000 people in Flintshire - of making "threats" to leave the UK because of fears that Brexit would hit trade. On Friday, the pro-Brexit AM had accused Airbus - which employs more than 6,000 people in Flintshire - of "hyperbole" in making "threats" to leave the UK because of fears that Brexit would hit trade.
Guto Bebb, a Welsh Conservative MP and UK defence minister, condemned Mr Davies for making "inflammatory" remarks.Guto Bebb, a Welsh Conservative MP and UK defence minister, condemned Mr Davies for making "inflammatory" remarks.
He also disputed Mr Davies's title as leader of the Welsh Conservatives - rather than its assembly group - and said he did not speak in such a capacity.He also disputed Mr Davies's title as leader of the Welsh Conservatives - rather than its assembly group - and said he did not speak in such a capacity.
Andrew RT Davies factfileAndrew RT Davies factfile
In a statement announcing his resignation as leader, Mr Davies said: "It has been a huge privilege to serve in this position since 2011, after securing the mandate of the party in a ballot of the membership. In a statement announcing his resignation as leader, Mr Davies said it had been a "huge privilege to serve in this position since 2011, after securing the mandate of the party in a ballot of the membership".
"It is my firm belief that any leader of the assembly group should secure the same mandate in a full ballot of the grassroots, and I hope that my successor will emerge in that manner. "I look forward to supporting whoever emerges from the contest to replace me, and I will continue to place all of my efforts into advancing the Welsh Conservative cause both here in Wales and Westminster.," he added.
"I would like to thank the group for their support throughout my leadership, and in particular to express my gratitude to the many dedicated and professional staff I have had the privilege to work with - and for. "As a party we would achieve nothing without the hard work and dedication of our grassroots and I would like to thank them all for the support they have given me in Wales.
"I look forward to supporting whoever emerges from the contest to replace me, and I will continue to place all of my efforts into advancing the Welsh Conservative cause both here in Wales and Westminster. "Nothing could make me prouder than to have enjoyed their backing throughout this journey."
"As a party we would achieve nothing without the hard work and dedication of our grassroots and I would like to thank them all for the support they have given me in Wales. Nothing could make me prouder than to have enjoyed their backing throughout this journey.
"I would like to thank the prime minister for her support and I wish her the very best in delivering for the country and the Conservative Party moving forward.
"And finally, thanks to my family, particularly my wife Julia who has supported me each and every step of the way."
Paying tribute to Mr Davies, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Under Andrew's leadership, the Welsh Conservatives have provided a strong opposition to Labour in Cardiff Bay and a strong voice for the people of Wales, both at home and in Westminster.Paying tribute to Mr Davies, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Under Andrew's leadership, the Welsh Conservatives have provided a strong opposition to Labour in Cardiff Bay and a strong voice for the people of Wales, both at home and in Westminster.
"I know he will continue to be a passionate champion for the people of South Wales Central in the assembly, as he has been for more than a decade - and will continue to speak up for the best interests of Wales as we leave the European Union and forge a new role for the whole United Kingdom on the world stage.""I know he will continue to be a passionate champion for the people of South Wales Central in the assembly, as he has been for more than a decade - and will continue to speak up for the best interests of Wales as we leave the European Union and forge a new role for the whole United Kingdom on the world stage."
During his seven years leading the Conservatives in the assembly, Mr Davies has appeared to be at odds with others within his party on a number of occasions. 'Larger than life'
In the 2016 referendum on Europe he backed Brexit while the then Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron campaigned to remain in the EU. First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "Despite our obvious political differences, I always found Andrew to be good company, and he never broke the confidences I shared with him as leader of the opposition.
Some Tories were critical of Mr Davies welcoming to his assembly group ex-UKIP AM Mark Reckless, who had originally defected from the Conservatives on the eve of their 2014 party conference. "That is the sign of a decent and honest politician.
"Andrew has made his mark in Welsh politics, and his jovial and larger-than-life personality has always been a breath of fresh air during assembly proceedings. I wish him well in the future."
During his seven years leading the Conservatives in the assembly, Mr Davies appeared to be at odds with the wider party on a number of occasions.
In the 2016 referendum on Europe he backed Brexit while the then Prime Minister David Cameron campaigned to remain in the EU.
Some Tories were critical of Mr Davies for welcoming into the Tory assembly group ex-UKIP AM Mark Reckless - a former Conservative MP who had dramatically defected to UKIP on the eve of the Tories' 2014 party conference.
Mr Davies also denied reports of a spat with Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns over who should represent the Welsh Conservatives in TV debates in the 2017 general election campaign.Mr Davies also denied reports of a spat with Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns over who should represent the Welsh Conservatives in TV debates in the 2017 general election campaign.
He also called for more clarity on who should lead the Welsh Conservatives after the party lost three seats in the June poll. After the party then lost three Welsh seats in the June poll, he called for more clarity on who should be designated leader of the Welsh Conservatives.
Reacting to news of the resignation, Mr Cairns said: "Andrew RT Davies has played a vital role in holding the Welsh Labour government to account in the Welsh Assembly since 2011.
"As leader in the assembly he has a robust record of highlighting how a Welsh Conservative government could deliver a stronger Welsh economy."
Analysis by Aled ap Dafydd, BBC Wales political correspondent
Jovial and self-deprecating Andrew RT Davies is a "take me as I am" kind of man.
Not many politicians refer to themselves as "19 stone of prime Welsh beef" and I can't think of another would-be first minister who would allow me to film them eating a plate of chips for breakfast on the campaign trail.
In the latter stages of his seven years in charge there have been obvious tensions. As a staunch supporter of Brexit he came out on the winning side, a personal high point. But it made for a strained relationship with Downing Street.
Critical comments about Airbus's threat to leave the UK angered some of his Conservative colleagues.
If he thought something, invariably he said it or acted upon it.
A case in point was his sustained backing for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon in the face of growing evidence over time that the UK government wouldn't be backing the scheme.
Earlier this year, Andrew RT Davies told me he'd be willing to step aside if it meant the Tories could form the next Government.
And so a pro-Brexit leader has made way and Remainer Paul Davies is his likely successor. That makes working with another party easier - even if forming the next Welsh Government is still a way off.