Welsh housing minister one of four resignations as first minister pressured to stand down

In a statement released within the past hour, he said: “This has been the most difficult time, for me, and my family. A growing assertion that some kind of wrongdoing has taken place has been pernicious, politically motivated and patently untrue.

“In 11 years as a minister, I have never ever made a decision for personal gain. I have never ever misused or abused my ministerial responsibilities. My integrity matters. I have not compromised it.”

The issues facing Mr Gething have “caused huge divisions in the group and damaged both the country and the party”, Ms James said.

The Welsh government’s plans to bring in major reforms to the country’s legislation on homelessness are at particular risk, she said, because it needs cross-party support.

Ms James said she “can see no real route to agreeing the passage of radical, transformational homelessness legislation” and “no way to agreeing a budget” under the circumstances.

“We must begin to repair this damage immediately and I am extremely sorry to tell you that I do not think you are capable of being the leader who can lead us through that,” she added.

Ms James thanked Mr Gething for his understanding over her recent ill health and said she felt “serious pride in [his] truly historic election”.

Mr Gething became the first Black leader of a European nation when he was elected first minister in March this year.

He had promised to launch an affordable homes taskforce to tackle the planning backlog and make building more social homes a priority.

The Welsh government has previously committed to building 20,000 low-carbon homes for social rent between 2021 and 2026.

The Welsh housing sector is also waiting to hear the outcome of a crucial court case this week, with many social landlords hoping it will bring clarity over their duties under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act amid claims they could be non-compliant for failing to provide copies of electrical safety certification.

Mr Gething added: “I regret that the burden of proof is no longer an important commodity in the language of our politics. I do hope that can change. I will now discuss a timetable for the election of new leader of my party.”