Former Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths resigns from Welsh Government

Ms Griffiths is one of several ministers who has announced their resignation today citing a lack of confidence in the First Minister Vaughan Gething's leadership, calling for him to resign

Rachael Brown
clock • 1 min read
Former Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths resigns from Welsh Government

Former Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced she is stepping down from Welsh Government. 

Ms Griffiths served as Minister for Rural Affairs between 2016-2024. She is one of several ministers who has announced their resignation today citing a lack of confidence in the First Minister Vaughan Gething's leadership. 

READ NOW: Wales' Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies chairs first SFS roundtable to agree other ways to sequester carbon

Welsh Government

In a post shared online Ms Griffiths raised concerns about the campaign donation which Mr Gething received; the outcome of the vote of no confidence; and the sacking of ministerial colleague Hannah Blythn for alleged leaking, with 'no formal leak inquiry having taken place.'

She said she found it 'deeply distressing' from both personal and professional perspectives, to see the negative impact it had on relationships between longstanding colleagues, adding the 'deeply saddening events' had impacted the Government's ability to 'continue to deliver for the people of Wales.' 

READ NOW: Welsh new entrants build meat box business from scratch

Vaughan Gething

"I have reached the conclusion that we simply will not be able to put things back on track under your leadership, leaving me with only one realistic option at this point. 

"In the current circumstances and with little evidence to suggest that matters will improve under your leadership. I tender my resignation from your Cabinet. I do so with a heavy heart." 

READ NOW: Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething loses confidence vote

More on Politics

Farmers stage demos at ports in Felixstowe and Bristol

Farmers stage demos at ports in Felixstowe and Bristol

British farmers said they are being 'undercut' by cheap imports on supermarket shelves and 'devalued' by Government with changes to Inheritance Tax, all at a time when producers face ever increasing costs to produce food

Chris Brayford
clock 23 January 2026 • 1 min read
75,000 shoppers urge supermarkets to rule out chlorinated chicken amid UK-US trade negotiations

75,000 shoppers urge supermarkets to rule out chlorinated chicken amid UK-US trade negotiations

More than 151,000 people joined a nationwide campaign to protect British food standards in just three weeks

clock 22 January 2026 • 2 min read
Farmers protest at Lidl distribution centres

Farmers protest at Lidl distribution centres

Protesters and tractors are out in Peterborough and Doncaster this morning

Alex Black
clock 22 January 2026 • 1 min read