Eluned Morgan confirms bid to be first minister

Eluned Morgan has confirmed her intention to stand in the contest to replace Vaughan Gething as Wales' first minister.

The health secretary said she was standing on a "joint unity ticket" with Huw Irranca-Davies, who would serve as her deputy first minister.

A contest is looking increasingly unlikely, with no one else having announced their intention to stand.

If that is still the case by the deadline of 12:00 BST on Wednesday, Ms Morgan will become the next Welsh Labour leader.

Mr Gething was forced to resign last week after three ministers and his chief legal adviser quit at the same time.

He had faced months of controversy over campaign donations, and had lost a vote of confidence during the general election campaign.

Before they become first minister the new Welsh Labour leader would need to be confirmed in a vote of the Senedd, which is in summer recess and is not due to sit until September.

On Tuesday the Welsh Conservatives called for a recall of the Senedd for that to happen.

The Welsh government can request a recall of the Senedd from the presiding officer if it believes one is required. It is understood such a request would be granted if it was made.

Ms Morgan said she had the "strong endorsement" from the majority of the group of 30 Welsh Labour Senedd members.

At least 12 had already publicly declared their intention to back Ms Morgan by the time of the announcement.

Among them are three of the people who forced Mr Gething to resign by quitting the government on Tuesday, including former minister Julie James, former counsel general Mick Antoniw and Neath MS Jeremy Miles.

Mr Miles had been expected to run his own campaign and had narrowly lost to Mr Gething in the last contest.

In a statement Ms Morgan said: "I am delighted to be teaming up with my fantastic colleague, Huw Irranca-Davies, who shares my passion and experience in government and strong sense of public duty. Together, we are committed to putting Wales back on track.

"In the coming days, we will set out our priorities to improve public services, create better, greener jobs and empower our communities."

Mr Irranca-Davies, the climate change minister, said: "Eluned has the energy and experience to lead and deliver for the people of Wales and harness the opportunity of working with a new UK Labour government."

Other Labour MSs who have declared their support for Eluned Morgan are: Jack Sargeant, Huw Irranca-Davies, Joyce Watson, Mike Hedges, Dawn Bowden, Vikki Howells, Jayne Bryant, Lynne Neagle and Hefin David.