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Welsh culture minister resigns after series of gaffes

19/07/2008

Welsh culture minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas has stepped down from his cabinet position in the wake of a number of gaffes.

The minister from the Plaid Cymru party, which is part of a coalition government with Labour in Wales, said a recent wave of poor publicity meant that he could not continue with his job.

Reports emerged that Mr Thomas was reprimanded by staff at a pub near the Welsh assembly for smoking within the premises. He was also ridiculed for reading out the wrong name while announcing an award at a literary event.

In a statement, Mr Thomas said: "In the light of the publicity that has been following me in the last weeks I feel that my position in the government is no longer sustainable.

"Further comments would be bound to follow. It has been a privilege to be part of this government during this exceedingly exciting period," he added.

The resignation has been accepted by Labour first minister Rhodri Morgan who praised the former culture minister for his performance as a cabinet official.