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Labour assembly minister sacked Labour assembly minister sacked
(30 minutes later)
Deputy Economy and Transport Minister Huw Lewis has lost his Welsh Assembly Government job, he has revealed.Deputy Economy and Transport Minister Huw Lewis has lost his Welsh Assembly Government job, he has revealed.
The Merthyr AM said he seemed to be the only minister to be moved aside for the new Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition. The Labour Merthyr AM said he seemed to be the only ministerial casualty of the new Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition.
He spoke before any official news of talks between First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones on the shape of the new government.He spoke before any official news of talks between First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones on the shape of the new government.
Mr Lewis said he had privately opposed the coalition, but he was "disappointed and not a little surprised". He said he had privately opposed the coalition, but he was "disappointed and not a little surprised" to be sacked.
There has been no official announcement from the assembly government yet about the reshuffle, and none is expected until Thursday.There has been no official announcement from the assembly government yet about the reshuffle, and none is expected until Thursday.
I can only conclude that sincerely held views, privately expressed and shared by a large section of our party, are reason enough to be replaced in government Huw Lewis AMI can only conclude that sincerely held views, privately expressed and shared by a large section of our party, are reason enough to be replaced in government Huw Lewis AM
There are seven Labour cabinet ministers - including Mr Morgan - and Mr Lewis was one of five deputy Labour ministers.There are seven Labour cabinet ministers - including Mr Morgan - and Mr Lewis was one of five deputy Labour ministers.
There is speculation that Plaid will have at least three ministerial posts. There is speculation that Plaid will have at least three ministerial posts. BBC Wales political correspondents said it was believed Plaid could get the main economy and transport cabinet job, which is currently held by Brian Gibbons.
The Merthyr AM, aged 43, was assistant general secretary of the Welsh Labour Party before he was elected to the assembly in 1999. Mr Lewis, aged 43, was assistant general secretary of the Welsh Labour Party before he was elected to the assembly in 1999.
In a statement, he said he was "disappointed and not a little surprised". 'Disappointed at signal'
"Throughout recent weeks I have maintained my loyalty to both the Welsh Labour Party and to the Welsh Assembly Government, although at times it would have been easier to speak out. He suggested he would be the only minister to lose their job in the reshuffle and was disappointed at the signal this might send to the wider Labour Party.
'Relish' He said he was "pretty sure" his dismissal was "not because of any issue of competence, so I can only think it must be because of my views on the coalition".
Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones have been in talks"Any objections I had to a deal with Plaid Cymru as a preferred option of Government were sincerely held and voiced only in the privacy of Labour group meetings. Asked whether he would now be a troublemaker, he said no, as that would amount to "self-indulgence".
"I made clear my enthusiasm for the job in charge of regeneration inside Government and would have been happy to continue in that post. Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones have been in talks
"Like all Labour members I accepted the democratic decision of our special conference and was happy to move forward." He would continue to be loyal to Labour, but would now be "free to make public comment".
"I am confident that nothing I have done inside the deputy minister post could have led to today's decision, indeed I took to the job with some relish. In a statement, he said: "Throughout recent weeks I have maintained my loyalty to both the Welsh Labour Party and to the Welsh Assembly Government, although at times it would have been easier to speak out.
"Any objections I had to a deal with Plaid Cymru as a preferred option of government were sincerely held and voiced only in the privacy of Labour group meetings.
"I can only conclude that sincerely held views, privately expressed and shared by a large section of our party, are reason enough to be replaced in government.""I can only conclude that sincerely held views, privately expressed and shared by a large section of our party, are reason enough to be replaced in government."
He has previously been deputy minister for social justice with special responsibility for communities.He has previously been deputy minister for social justice with special responsibility for communities.
He is married to Lynne Neagle, the AM for nearby Torfaen. Although Mr Lewis had not voiced public opposition to the coalition, Ms Neagle was the first Labour AM to break ranks and speak out before the deal was struck and she was followed by three others. He is married to Lynne Neagle, the AM for nearby Torfaen. Although Mr Lewis had not voiced public opposition to the coalition, Ms Neagle was the first Labour AM to speak out before the deal was struck, quickly followed by three others.