Vaughan Gething must return shocking donation, says ex-minister

Mr Waters’ was supported by his party colleague Alun Davies, who called a “test of a fit and proper person from whom donations may be accepted”.

He later said on X, external, formerly known as Twitter, that “many Labour members agree with Lee”.

In the Conservative debate calling for an independent probe, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said: “There is no rule breaking, but the perception of such substantial monies coming into a campaign to lead the country of Wales as first minister has caused considerable public disquiet, as well as considerable political disquiet amongst the Labour Party and other political parties.”

He said the £200,000 could “reasonably be seen as securing influence”.

Plaid Cymru focused on introducing a cap on the size of donations.

Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru leader, said: “This episode reflects terribly, I’m afraid, on the first minister himself and his judgement.

“But we can take a stand here today to defend the integrity of our democracy as a whole.”

Hefin David, Labour MS for Caerphilly who supported Mr Gething in the leadership campaign, played the issue down.

He was heckled when he told the Senedd the “more you dig” on the donations, “the less you find”.

“All of the evidence that we’ve talked about has been addressed. What are we now trying to investigate?”

“Andrew RT Davies says in the Western Mail article that he wants to move on.

“If he wants to move on, he can start asking questions about the things we care about: the cost of living, children in care; these are the kind of things he could start asking about at first minister’s questions instead of just going on about this non-issue.”

Mr Gething did not respond to either debates, and was not present for the first Conservative session.

With the first minister sat beside her Jane Hutt, Welsh government chief whip and business minister, said: “The first minister has repeatedly set out all the relevant rules have been complied with and it’s been that’s been acknowledged again, this afternoon.”

“The Welsh government’s propriety and ethics team has considered and responded to questions raised by members and a clear that no wrongdoing has taken place.

“The first minister will recuse himself from any involvement that presents any conflict of interest in the normal way.”

She was asked by Plaid Cymru MS Mabon ap Gwynfor if she would have taken the money herself but she did not answer the question.

Earlier the Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had called for an independent investigation.

Meanwhile Mr Gething’s former leadership rival Jeremy Miles has asked the Welsh government-owned bank Development Bank of Wales to reflect on its due diligence, amid controversy over a £400,000 loan to a Dauson subsidiary.