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Minister 'expecting to lose job' Minister 'expecting to lose job'
(9 minutes later)
The future of Welsh Culture Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas appears to be in serious doubt.The future of Welsh Culture Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas appears to be in serious doubt.
BBC Wales understands he has told colleagues that he "does not expect to be in his job by the end of tonight".BBC Wales understands he has told colleagues that he "does not expect to be in his job by the end of tonight".
He has already pulled out of the opening of the Sir Kyffin Williams gallery on Anglesey this evening.He has already pulled out of the opening of the Sir Kyffin Williams gallery on Anglesey this evening.
It comes after the Welsh Assembly Government refused to comment on claims Mr Thomas broke the smoking ban by having a lit cigar in Cardiff a pub. It comes after the Welsh Assembly Government refused to comment on claims Mr Thomas broke the smoking ban by having a lit cigar in a Cardiff pub.
Mr Thomas, the Plaid Cymru AM for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, became an assembly government minister when Labour and his party formed a coalition after the assembly election a year ago.Mr Thomas, the Plaid Cymru AM for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, became an assembly government minister when Labour and his party formed a coalition after the assembly election a year ago.
He and two party colleagues, Ieuan Wyn Jones and Elin Jones, became the first Plaid ministers in the party's history when they joined Labour in the cabinet.He and two party colleagues, Ieuan Wyn Jones and Elin Jones, became the first Plaid ministers in the party's history when they joined Labour in the cabinet.
The doubts over his job escalated on the day that witnesses claimed that he was reprimanded by a member of the bar staff at the Eli Jenkins pub in Cardiff Bay after carrying the cigar into the building.The doubts over his job escalated on the day that witnesses claimed that he was reprimanded by a member of the bar staff at the Eli Jenkins pub in Cardiff Bay after carrying the cigar into the building.
It is claimed Mr Thomas then left. The pub's management has declined to comment.It is claimed Mr Thomas then left. The pub's management has declined to comment.
The Eli Jenkins overlooks Roald Dahl Plas and the Senedd in Cardiff BayThe pub is well known to journalists, politicians and staff at the nearby Welsh assembly. The Eli Jenkins overlooks Roald Dahl Plas and the Senedd in Cardiff Bay The pub is well known to journalists, politicians and staff at the nearby Welsh assembly.
Mr Thomas was also in the headlines earlier this month when he mistakenly read out the wrong name when announcing the winner of the Wales Book of the Year.Mr Thomas was also in the headlines earlier this month when he mistakenly read out the wrong name when announcing the winner of the Wales Book of the Year.
He named Tom Bullough as the recipient of the English-language version of the award, only to have to correct himself as the author approached him at the Cardiff ceremony to claim the prize.He named Tom Bullough as the recipient of the English-language version of the award, only to have to correct himself as the author approached him at the Cardiff ceremony to claim the prize.
Mr Thomas apologised on the night and later for his gaffe. The actual winner was veteran writer Dannie Abse.Mr Thomas apologised on the night and later for his gaffe. The actual winner was veteran writer Dannie Abse.
Mr Thomas, a former shadow health minister in the assembly, had backed the ban on smoking in public places, which was brought in in Wales ahead of a similar ban in England.Mr Thomas, a former shadow health minister in the assembly, had backed the ban on smoking in public places, which was brought in in Wales ahead of a similar ban in England.
Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservative group in the assembly, has demanded an explanation from the minister over the smoking claims.Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservative group in the assembly, has demanded an explanation from the minister over the smoking claims.
Mr Bourne said the smoking ban was introduced by the assembly government to protect non-smokers who legitimately wanted to enjoy a night out without running the risk of developing a smoking-related disease and that there could be no exceptions to the rules.Mr Bourne said the smoking ban was introduced by the assembly government to protect non-smokers who legitimately wanted to enjoy a night out without running the risk of developing a smoking-related disease and that there could be no exceptions to the rules.