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Morgan starts final day in office Morgan faces last AMs' questions
(about 2 hours later)
First Minister Rhodri Morgan is due to formally tender his resignation to the Queen, bringing the curtain down on 10 years in the top job in Wales. Rhodri Morgan has answered his final first minister's questions in the Welsh assembly chamber, receiving a standing ovation from AMs.
His successor, Carwyn Jones, is working on finalising a new cabinet, with an announcement expected later this week. Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne paid tribute to the "panache" he had brought to public office".
Mr Morgan will take his final first minister's questions in the Senedd chamber before all-party tributes. Mr Morgan is due to formally tender his resignation to the Queen later, ending his 10 years in the top job in Wales.
His formal resignation to the Queen will be sent by email - followed by a hard copy in the post. AMs are expected to nominate new Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones to take over as first minister on Wednesday.
As well as attending his final briefing in the morning, Mr Morgan will also be in the assembly for a vote on the final budget for 2010-11. Mr Morgan is to make his resignation statement at the end of Tuesday's assembly session, and formally resign to the Queen by e-mail, followed by a hard copy in the post.
His statement will be made after a vote on the assembly government's final budget for 2010-11.
His last 24 hours in the post began with the announcement of the BBC Wales sports personality of the year award, which went to Wales football legend Ryan Giggs.His last 24 hours in the post began with the announcement of the BBC Wales sports personality of the year award, which went to Wales football legend Ryan Giggs.
Mr Morgan called Giggs "a fantastic role model".Mr Morgan called Giggs "a fantastic role model".
It was a few weeks before, on 1 October, that Mr Morgan announced his departure.It was a few weeks before, on 1 October, that Mr Morgan announced his departure.
Although it has been a long goodbye, there are still likely to be emotional scenes in the Senedd this afternoon when Mr Morgan makes his formal resignation announcement.
RHODRI MORGAN Born: 29 Sept, 1939, CardiffEducated: Oxford, HarvardCareer: civil servant; Cardiff West MP 1987 - 2001; Cardiff West AM 1999 - 2009; Welsh first minister 2000 - 2009Family: Married Julie, 1967, two daughters, one sonQuote: "Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?" (Winner of the Plain English Campaign's Foot in Mouth award)RHODRI MORGAN Born: 29 Sept, 1939, CardiffEducated: Oxford, HarvardCareer: civil servant; Cardiff West MP 1987 - 2001; Cardiff West AM 1999 - 2009; Welsh first minister 2000 - 2009Family: Married Julie, 1967, two daughters, one sonQuote: "Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?" (Winner of the Plain English Campaign's Foot in Mouth award)
Tributes will be paid from political friends and foes alike to a man who succeeded Alun Michael in February 2000.Tributes will be paid from political friends and foes alike to a man who succeeded Alun Michael in February 2000.
Mr Morgan, who has called the role a "privilege", said: "I have loved this job for the past nine-and-a-half years, I still love this job."Mr Morgan, who has called the role a "privilege", said: "I have loved this job for the past nine-and-a-half years, I still love this job."
Following his resignation, the first minister, the counsel general - first minister-in-waiting Carwyn Jones - and all government special advisers cease to hold office.Following his resignation, the first minister, the counsel general - first minister-in-waiting Carwyn Jones - and all government special advisers cease to hold office.
But Welsh ministers, including deputy ministers, remain in office until a new cabinet is appointed by Mr Jones, who won the Labour election last week.But Welsh ministers, including deputy ministers, remain in office until a new cabinet is appointed by Mr Jones, who won the Labour election last week.
A plenary session of the assembly is held on Wednesday, when it will go to a vote of all assembly members.A plenary session of the assembly is held on Wednesday, when it will go to a vote of all assembly members.
The presiding officer Lord Elis Thomas will then make a recommendation to the Queen, again via email, who then returns her approval - and then the first minister is required to take the oath on Thursday, administered by a senior judge. The presiding officer Lord Elis Thomas will then make a recommendation to the Queen, again via e-mail, who then returns her approval - and then the first minister is required to take the oath on Thursday, administered by a senior judge.
Mr Morgan said he intended to spend more time with his family as well as walking the dog and digging the allotment.Mr Morgan said he intended to spend more time with his family as well as walking the dog and digging the allotment.