Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Carwyn Jones stands down after 'the darkest of times'

Carwyn Jones has announced he will stand down as Wales' first minister in the autumn.

The AM for Bridgend made the announcement at the Welsh Labour party conference in Llandudno, which he said would be his last as leader.

Referring to the death of Carl Sargeant Mr Jones, 51, said he had been through the "darkest of times".

Mr Sargeant was found dead in November, days after Mr Jones sacked him from his cabinet job.

The communities secretary was dismissed after allegations emerged about his personal conduct, prompting a Welsh Labour investigation.

UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn paid tribute to the first minister's "tireless commitment to making Wales a more equal country".

Mr Jones, who has been first minister and Welsh Labour leader since 2009, said his exit would give his family, his party and the country a "fresh start".

The man widely considered to be a potential front-runner contender in the leadership race, Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford, says he is giving the matter "serious consideration".

Image caption Carwyn Jones said his wife Lisa and his family had "carried me through the darkest of times"

Referring to his wife and family, the first minister told party delegates: "I don't think anyone can know what the last few months have been like - no one apart from Lisa and the kids.

"They have carried me through the darkest of times. I have asked too much of them at times. It's time for me to think about what's fair to them."

The conference reacted in shock when Mr Jones said: "This will be the last Welsh Labour conference I address as party leader.

"I intend to stand down as your leader in the autumn allowing for a new first minister to take their place by the end of this year.

"By that point it will make sense to have a fresh start for my family, my party and my country."

The announcement came despite the Welsh Labour leader telling BBC Wales on Friday that he was looking forward to continuing as first minister "for some time to come".

Image caption Carl Sargeant was found dead days after he was sacked from his cabinet level job

Mr Jones has been under pressure from Mr Sargeant's family and both opposition and Labour politicians who have wanted answers to questions over the circumstances of the minister's sacking.

Carl Sargeant's death led to Mr Jones announcing several inquiries. Two have been completed, but an independent probe into the circumstances led by QC Paul Bowen around his sacking is yet to begin.

Following Mr Jones' announcement, Carl Sargeant's son Jack, who has taken the Alyn and Deeside seat vacated by his father, said: "Nothing changes. The inquiries are still relevant and should continue."

On Friday the lawyer for Jack Sargeant said Mr Jones' manner had caused the family distress.

Mr Jones has said he did not see how that could be the case.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Mark Drakeford said he would not make a decision "off the cuff"

Mark Drakeford, who has been tipped as a future leader of the party, did not rule out the prospect of running for Welsh Labour leader when he told BBC Wales: "I will talk to others. I've got to think of my own family in talking to them, and I will think about it very seriously.

"But I can quite easily see why that serious consideration would conclude that I wouldn't want to do it."

Jeremy Miles, the Welsh Government's counsel general, also did not rule out the prospect of running when BBC Wales asked if he would stand, saying it would depend on "who puts their name forward".

Huw Irranca-Davies, minister for children and social care, said he was also considering running.

Alun Davies, the local government secretary, said he would wait and see what to do.

But he insisted that the next leader must not be elected under the current electoral college system, which was used to elect deputy leader Carolyn Harris whose victory was also announced on Saturday.

Leadership elections have been a controversial matter in the Labour party, with many grassroots campaigners calling for one member one vote (OMOV).

Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader, said: "Whilst we have spent many years on opposite sides of the political divide, you have to recognise Carwyn's significant contribution to public life in Wales, and the huge achievement of serving his country at the highest level for so long."

Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, congratulated Carwyn Jones on his nine years as first minister, but added: "Wales needs more than a change of leader. We need a new government with the ideas, the values and the drive to build our nation into the successful country we know it could be."

Former Labour AM and ex-local government minister Leighton Andrews, who has been critical of the first minister following Carl Sargeant's death, said Mr Jones had many significant achievements during his period as first minister, but said unanswered questions remain.

But he said: "These last five plus months have been very difficult and there are still unanswered questions which the Bowen inquiry will investigate."

Health secretary Vaughan Gething told BBC Wales that the announcement was a "shock", but denied Mr Jones was leaving "under a cloud".

He also did not rule himself out of a future race, saying Saturday "was not the day to be running out of the starting blocks".

The Conservative Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said: "My relationship with the first minister has always been positive, pragmatic and driven by a mutual desire to get the best outcome for the Welsh people."

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said she had enjoyed working with the first minister - the two have jointly campaigned against provisions for devolution in the Brexit bill.

Analysis by BBC Welsh affairs editor Vaughan Roderick

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption BBC Welsh Affairs editor Vaughan Roderick looks at the runners and riders for Wales' first minister

It's a sad end to a political career.

Carwyn Jones would have wanted, in different circumstances, to continue for longer.

We should take what he says about the pressure on his family entirely at face value, I'm certain of what he is saying here is correct.

History will be kind to Carwyn Jones. He has had to manage Wales through a period of austerity and has managed to keep Labour in power. He has a lot of things going for him.

But at this moment, its the cloud of that reshuffle that went wrong and the results that came from it that will be on most people's minds.</s>Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones will stand down as the country's leader this autumn.

The politician, 51, made the shock announcement at the Welsh Labour party conference today in Llandudno, north Wales.

It comes just a day after he was accused of bullying by the family of late Communities Minister Carl Sargeant after his suspected suicide last year.

Mr Sargeant was found dead four days after he was sacked from the Welsh cabinet over allegations of inappropriate conduct towards women.

Following the late minister's death in November 2017, Mr Jones said he has been through the 'darkest of times'.

But Mr Sargeant's son has accused the First Minister of causing 'considerable distress' to his family with regards to the investigation into his death.

Mr Jones's decision to stand down will bring to an end his nine-year stint as Welsh leader, succeeding Rhodri Morgan in December 2009.

The member for Bridgend told Labour crowds today: 'There are people I haven't been fair to in recent times, and that's my family.

'In any normal political career you expect to be put through the ringer and have your everything challenged.

'I don't think anyone can know what these last few months have been like, other than Lisa and the kids.

'They have helped me through the darkest of times, I have asked too much of them at times and it's time for me think about what's fair to them.

'So conference this will be the last Labour conference I address as party leader.

'I intend, as I've always maintained, to be here to give every answer to every question.

'I intend to stand down as your leader this autumn allowing for a new First Minister to take their place by the end of this year.

'At that point it'll make sense to have a fresh start for my family, my party and for my country.

'I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together so far.'

Stephen Kinnock, Labour MP for Aberavon, said: 'Carwyn has been a brilliant leader of Welsh Labour, and an outstanding First Minister. Truly a giant of Welsh politics. We wish him well.'</s>Carwyn Jones has announced he is to stand down as the Welsh First Minister in the autumn.

The 51-year-old former barrister, from Swansea, made the announcement at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno on Saturday.

Earlier, Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris had won the election to become Mr Jones’ deputy within the Welsh Labour party.

His decision to stand down will bring to an end his nine-year stint as First Minister, succeeding Rhodri Morgan in December 2009.

Stephen Kinnock, Labour MP for Aberavon, said: “Carwyn has been a brilliant leader of Welsh Labour, and an outstanding First Minister. Truly a giant of Welsh politics. We wish him well.”

The decision comes months after Mr Jones referred himself to an independent inquiry over allegations of bullying at a senior level of the Welsh Government three years ago, following the death of assembly member Carl Sargeant in November.

Former minister Leighton Andrews has said that Mr Sargeant, who is believed to have taken his own life four days after being removed from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children while facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour, was “unquestionably the target” of some of the behaviour and “toxic” atmosphere.

Mr Jones previously told assembly members that any issues brought to his attention at that time were dealt with, but leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies suggested Mr Jones may have “misled assembly members” over his knowledge of bullying in the Welsh Government.

Mr Jones acknowledged “the darkest of times” in recent months, and thanked his children and wife Lisa - who he said had been seriously ill in the run-up to conference - for their support.

He told conference: “In any normal political career, you expect to be put through the ringer, and even have your integrity challenged.

“I don’t think anyone can know what these last few months have been like. No-one that is, apart from Lisa and the kids.

“They have carried me through the darkest of times. I have asked too much of them, and it is time for me to think about what’s fair for them.

“And so, this will be the last Welsh Labour conference I address as party leader.

“I intend - as I’ve always maintained - to be here to give every answer to every question. But I intend to stand down in the autumn, allowing for a new First Minister to take their place by the end of this year.

“At that point it will make sense to have a fresh start. For my family, for my party and for my country.”

He added: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together so far. The election victories. The landmark legislation. A better deal for nurses, for students and our businesses. Putting Wales on the map.

“We made the constitution exciting. Okay - maybe we didn’t quite manage that.

“Over the last nine years I have lost my mother, just six days after I became First Minister.

“She was a great influence on me and she had a great talent of being able to talk to anybody and a healthy disdain of snobbery which I hope I’ve managed to follow.

“Running for the leadership in 2009 while she was terminally ill was one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do and she’s missed by us all.

“To my children. Sorry for all the times I wasn’t there and all the things I missed. It’ll change in the future.

“And to you, my Labour family. Thanks for all your support. Without the doors you knock, without the leaflets you deliver, without the work you do in your communities I know I wouldn’t have been given this opportunity.”

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said on Twitter: “Carwyn Jones is a highly respected Labour leader, not just in Wales but across the Labour Movement, at home and abroad.

“He has been a great advocate of devolution yet never insular, always outward looking.

“I look forward to working with Carwyn in the months ahead and his successor.”</s>Carwyn Jones, the First Minister of Wales, has announced he is to stand down in the autumn.

The Bridgend AM made the announcement at the Welsh Labour Party conference in Llandudno which he said would be his last as leader.

The former barrister's decision to stand down will end his nine-year reign as First Minister, succeeding Rhodri Morgan in December 2009.

Stephen Kinnock, Labour MP for Aberavon, said: "Carwyn has been a brilliant leader of Welsh Labour, and an outstanding First Minister. Truly a giant of Welsh politics. We wish him well."

The announcement comes after Mr Jones,51, referred himself to an independent inquiry over allegations of bullying at a senior level of the Welsh Government three years ago.

It followed the death of assembly member Carl Sargeant in November.

Former minister Leighton Andrews has said that Mr Sargeant, who is believed to have taken his own life four days after being removed from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children while facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour, was "unquestionably the target" of some of the behaviour and "toxic" atmosphere.

Mr Jones insisted that any issues brought to his attention at that time were dealt with, but leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies suggested Mr Jones may have "misled assembly members" over his knowledge of bullying in the Welsh Government.

Mr Jones told conference there had been "the darkest of times" in recent months, and thanked his children and wife Lisa, who he said had been seriously ill in the run-up to conference, for their support.

He said: "In any normal political career, you expect to be put through the ringer, and even have your integrity challenged.

"I don't think anyone can know what these last few months have been like. No-one that is, apart from Lisa and the kids.

"They have carried me through the darkest of times. I have asked too much of them, and it is time for me to think about what's fair for them."

"I intend as I've always maintained - to be here to give every answer to every question. But I intend to stand down in the autumn, allowing for a new First Minister to take place by the end of this year.

"At that point it will make sense to have a fresh start. For my family, for my party and for my country.

"I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together so far. The election victories. The landmark legislation. A better deal for nurses, for students and our businesses. Putting Wales on the map.

"We made the constitution exciting. OK. Maybe we didn't quite manage that.

"I want to thank you all - but most especially my Assembly colleagues - for the support you have shown me. Our togetherness has been political kryptonite to the opposition in Wales, and your support for me through this period has been more than any leader could ask for, its more than any friend could ask for.

"Conference, before I finish, I'd like to thank those who have been closest to me on this great journey."</s>The first minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, will stand down in the autumn.

He made the surprise announcement at the Welsh Labour party conference in Llandudno on Saturday.

Jones’s decision means Wales will have a new first minister at the start of December.</s>The Welsh finance secretary, Mark Drakeford, has emerged as an early frontrunner to succeed Carwyn Jones as Welsh first minister.

Jones said on Saturday he would step down in the autumn, having experienced “the darkest of times”. He has been under intense pressure since the Labour AM Carl Sargeant killed himself four days after being sacked as a minister over harassment allegations.

Drakeford is experienced and well-respected with Welsh Labour. He won plaudits in his former job as health minister by defending the Cardiff administration against Tory attacks on its record on running the NHS in Wales.

He is also a key figure in the Welsh government’s Brexit negotiations with the UK government.

Asked if he would stand, Drakeford said he would think about it “very seriously”.

Another possible candidate is Vaughan Gething, who five years ago became the first black minister in any of the devolved UK administrations.

Whoever succeeds Jones will inherit an administration and party rocked by the death of Sargeant. The pressure on Jones increased last week when opposition parties in Wales criticised the Labour government for blocking the full publication of a report examining claims that Sargeant’s dismissal was leaked in the days before he killed himself.

Jones’s announcement came a day after lawyers for Jack Sargeant, Carl’s son, published a letter accusing Jones of causing considerable distress, though it is not believe the letter prompted his decision to step down.

The main inquiry into how Jones handled the sacking has not yet begun.



On BBC Radio Wales’ Sunday Supplement, the Welsh government minister and independent AM Dafydd Elis-Thomas paid tribute to Jones and said he had “nothing but contempt” for people in Labour who had been “stirring it up”.

Asked if there were people trying to undermine Jones, he said: “Of course.”



Jones told the Welsh Labour conference on Saturday: “In any normal political career, you expect to be put through the wringer, and even have your integrity challenged.

“I don’t think anyone can know what these last few months have been like. No one that is, apart from Lisa [his wife] and the kids. They have carried me through the darkest of times. I have asked too much of them, and it is time for me to think about what’s fair for them.”

On the inquiry he said: “I intend – as I’ve always maintained – to be here to give every answer to every question. But I intend to stand down in the autumn, allowing for a new first minister to take their place by the end of this year.

Jones’ departure means the loss of an excellent election campaign leader, who has guided Welsh Labour to a string of victories during his nine-year tenure.

Together with the Scottish nationalists, he has also played an important role in holding the UK government to account over Brexit.

The method of electing the new leader will be controversial. Shortly before Jones announced he was stepping down, the Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris won the Welsh Labour deputy leadership election on an electoral college system – rather than one member, one vote.

Her rival Julie Morgan, whose late husband Rhodri was first minister, was backed by more party members. As it stands, the new leader will also be elected under the same contentious system.

The UK Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, will address the conference in Llandudno, north Wales, on Sunday. Paying tribute to Jones, he said: “Carwyn has led Welsh Labour to achieve unprecedented electoral success, forming two Labour Welsh assembly governments.

“Over the last nine years he has stood up to Tory austerity and stood up for the people of Wales as a strong voice for devolution and democracy.”

Others possible replacements include Jeremy Miles, the counsel general for Wales, and Huw Irranca-Davies, who stood down as an MP in 2016 to stand for election to the Welsh assembly.</s>First Minister Carwyn Jones has announced that he will step down in the autumn.

He told delegates at Welsh Labour's conference in Llandudno that his successor would be in place by December.

ITV Wales Political Editor Adrian Masters says the news comes as a shock to many attendees, including Labour Assembly Members.

Carwyn Jones says he intends to stay on as a backbench AM and won't force a by-election.

Party leaders have given their support following the shock announcement:

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT said despite being on "opposites sides" of politics, he wished Carwyn Jones well.

He said: "Over the years we've exchanged many metaphorical blows, and there will be plenty of time to debate and reflect on Carwyn's legacy as First Minister.

"But for now, I simply wish him and his family all the best for what lies ahead."

Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood AM congratulated Mr Jones on his tenure but said ''rearranging the deckchairs will not deliver change':

She added: "Wales's government has been led by the Labour Party for nineteen years.

"Over that time our economy, our NHS, our schools and our local services have been allowed to weaken and diminish. People and our community infrastructure have fallen further and further behind.

"Wales needs more than a change of leader. We need a new government with the ideas, the values and the drive to build our nation into the successful country we know it could be."</s>Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones is to quit following the controversy over the death of a government colleague.

Mr Jones, who has held the post since 2009, told the Welsh Labour party conference in Llandudno yesterday that he would stand down in the autumn.

His decision surprised party members who are still coming to terms with the death of Carl Sargeant in November.

The 49-year-old was found dead at his home in Connah’s Quay, North Wales, four days after he was sacked by Mr Jones following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women.

Mr Jones has launched three inquiries following his death, amid calls from Mr Sargeant’s family for more information over the sacking of the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in the Welsh Government.

Yesterday, Mr Jones said he had been through ‘the darkest times’ and now wanted to give the nation ‘a fresh start’. He added: ‘I don’t think anyone can know what the last few months have been like.’</s>First Minister Carwyn Jones will step down in the autumn after nine years in the top job in Welsh politics.

BBC Wales political reporter Cemlyn Davies looks back at his political career and the events leading up to his shock announcement.</s>First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones speaks before the UEFA Champions League draw of the semi-finals Thomson Reuters LONDON (Reuters) - The head of the devolved government in Wales, Carwyn Jones, said on Saturday he intends to stand down in the second half of this year, BBC news reported on Saturday.

The first minister of Wales told members of his Welsh Labour party that he wanted to give his family, party and country a fresh start after he had been through "the darkest of times".

Last November former Welsh government minister Carl Sargeant, whom Jones had suspended after allegations were made over his conduct with women, was found dead.

The 51-year-old Jones, a Welsh-speaking former barrister and member of Britain's Labour party that opposes Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May, has been first minister of Wales since December 2009.

Jones, along with the head of the devolved government in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has opposed May's EU Withdrawal Bill that will in effect sever Britain's legal system from the European Union.

The Welsh and Scottish governments have introduced bills into their parliaments aimed at keeping regional powers that return from Brussels after Brexit. The UK government in London this week appealed to the Supreme Court to rule on whether those bills are constitutionally sound.
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones announces his plans to step down this autumn.