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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.
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.
Nick Ramsay, runner-up in the 2011 leadership contest, has backed Paul Davies to take over. Preseli Pembrokeshire AM and deputy leader Paul Davies has been appointed interim leader by the group.
Earlier Nick Ramsay, runner-up in the 2011 leadership contest, backed Paul Davies to take over on a permanent basis.
A Conservative AM told BBC Wales there could be a "coronation".A Conservative AM told BBC Wales there could be a "coronation".
A party source said AMs were in conversations on whether there should be more than one candidate for the role, and therefore a contest.A party source said AMs were in conversations on whether there should be more than one candidate for the role, and therefore a contest.
Another alleged Mr Davies's resignation followed an "orchestrated plot from both ends of the M4", warning of "very dark times for Brexiteers".Another alleged Mr Davies's resignation followed an "orchestrated plot from both ends of the M4", warning of "very dark times for Brexiteers".
On Friday, Andrew RT Davies 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.On Friday, Andrew RT Davies 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, Mr Davies said he was resigning as leader of the assembly group with "deep regret" following a group meeting on Wednesday.In a statement, Mr Davies said he was resigning as leader of the assembly group with "deep regret" following a group meeting on Wednesday.
The South Wales Central AM 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".The South Wales Central AM 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".
"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 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.
"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."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.""Nothing could make me prouder than to have enjoyed their backing throughout this journey."
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."
'Larger than life''Larger than life'
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.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.
"That is the sign of a decent and honest politician."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.""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.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.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.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.
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.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.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.""As leader in the assembly he has a robust record of highlighting how a Welsh Conservative government could deliver a stronger Welsh economy."
Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay, who Mr Davies defeated in the 2011 leadership ballot of Welsh Conservative members, told BBC Wales he would not seek election this time around.Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay, who Mr Davies defeated in the 2011 leadership ballot of Welsh Conservative members, told BBC Wales he would not seek election this time around.
He said: "I've received a number of calls from party members this morning asking if I will be standing in the leadership election.He said: "I've received a number of calls from party members this morning asking if I will be standing in the leadership election.
"I'm not - I'm calling on Paul Davies to stand.""I'm not - I'm calling on Paul Davies to stand."
The Preseli Pembrokeshire AM served as interim Conservative group leader in 2011 after Nick Bourne lost his assembly seat and until Andrew RT Davies was elected to succeed him.The Preseli Pembrokeshire AM served as interim Conservative group leader in 2011 after Nick Bourne lost his assembly seat and until Andrew RT Davies was elected to succeed him.
Byron Davies, Welsh Conservative chairman, said: "It has been my pleasure to work with Andrew over the years and I would like to thank him for all that he has done as leader of the Welsh Conservative group in the assembly."Byron Davies, Welsh Conservative chairman, said: "It has been my pleasure to work with Andrew over the years and I would like to thank him for all that he has done as leader of the Welsh Conservative group in the assembly."
UKIP AM Neil Hamilton said he was sorry Mr Davies had resigned. "Andrew is a combative Brexiteer in a Tory group which is dominated by Remainers," he added.UKIP AM Neil Hamilton said he was sorry Mr Davies had resigned. "Andrew is a combative Brexiteer in a Tory group which is dominated by Remainers," he added.
Following his appointment by the Tory group as interim leader, Paul Davies paid tribute to Andrew RT Davies, saying he had made "a huge contribution to Welsh politics and worked tirelessly to advance the Conservative cause in Wales".
He added that nominations for the permanent post of leader of the Tory group would "open in due course".
Analysis by Aled ap Dafydd, BBC Wales political correspondentAnalysis 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.