Vaughan Gething: Sacked minister Hannah Blythyn breaks silence

The personal statement from Ms Blythyn was a surprise addition to the Senedd agenda on Tuesday, coming before a statement on Mr Gething’s legislative programme.

Ms Blythyn began her statement saying there had been times recently where she was unsure “I would or could stand or speak” in the Senedd debating chamber again.

“Whilst I will not share the detail, I will share that I have formally raised concerns about the process by which I was removed from government, including not being shown any alleged evidence before being sacked, not being made aware that I was ever under investigation and that at no point was I advised or was it evidenced that I may have broken the ministerial code.”

She said she recognised it was “within the gift of any first minister to appoint and remove members of their government”.

But she said she had “very real concerns that lessons have not been learned from the past”.

She said there had been “speculation about my circumstances and well I have been well enough to work”.

“This has ranged from what was tantamount to misinformation, and what can be put down to misunderstanding”.

“It should not be surprising that what happened has been hugely detrimental to me on a personal level, and led to acute anxiety and stress.”

“I have never been signed off work and I have struggled with this in itself, but there was a point when the thought of just putting my camera on to vote and seeing you literally took my breath away.”