Welsh Labour: Jeremy Miles refuses to back Vaughan Gething

Asked if Mr Gething was the best man to lead Wales, Mr Miles said: “I’m not going to give a running commentary on what we’ve seen in the press.

“It’s obviously been a very difficult number of weeks.”

ITV asked if Mr Miles had complete faith in Mr Gething, external. The economy secretary replied: “As I say, it’s been a difficult few weeks difficult for the first minister as for everybody else. He’ll be looking at how we can get through this as we all are.”

Pressed further on whether he had faith in the first minister, Mr Miles added: “I don’t think it’s helpful to keep making running commentary on the events that we’ve seen report in the news.”

The minister was quizzed at the launch of the Welsh government’s heat strategy.

Mr Miles said the Welsh government was “continuing to deliver for the people of Wales”, referring to the launch of Wales’ new publicly owned renewable energy developer, and new legislation to boost Welsh language teaching.

Asked whether Mr Gething would be first minister to see both of those things through, Mr Miles did not say if he would or not.

“Look, I’m telling you what we’re doing in terms of investments that we’re making, right across portfolios of government. There’s a lot going on, a lot of deliver for people in Wales and a full agenda ahead for us all,” he added.