News Outlet Clears Sacked Welsh Minister in Leak Scandal Amidst Ongoing Political Turmoil

News platform refutes claims that dismissed Welsh official leaked information

First Minister Vaughan Gething has upheld his decision to dismiss Hannah Blythyn, despite her objections, following allegations that he erased text messages from the pandemic period.

Political correspondent @NifS

Thursday, July 11, 2024 3:34

A Welsh news outlet has reported that the minister dismissed for supposedly leaking a text message from the first minister was not their informant for the story.

In May, Nation Cymru published an article alleging that the former health secretary, Vaughan Gething, had informed a ministerial group in 2020 of his intention to erase all their messages to avoid them being obtained through a Freedom of Information request.

Addressing the COVID inquiry, the current first minister clarified that the message pertained to "a Labour group meeting in August 2020", emphasizing that it dealt with "the manner in which we articulated our actions" rather than decisions related to the pandemic.

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Several days after the incident, ex-social partnership minister Hannah Blythyn was removed from her position following allegations that she was responsible for the leak, leading Mr. Gething to state that he had "no alternative."

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The site that published the original article has now released a new report under the title: "Hannah Blythyn was not our source."

In a personal statement delivered in the Senedd on Tuesday, Ms. Blythyn stated that she was not presented with any evidence justifying her dismissal and had previously expressed "formal concerns."

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She shared with her colleagues that the event had caused her significant anxiety and stress, stating, "I can confidently face each of you here and assert that I have never disclosed or provided inside information to the press concerning any of you. Indeed, I can extend that assurance to everyone present in this [chamber]."

On Wednesday, Mr. Gething firmly reiterated in the Welsh parliament that it was "obvious" the former minister was responsible for the leak.

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In a recent piece, Mark Mansfield, the CEO of Nation Cymru, emphasized: "Our dedication to safeguarding our informants is unwavering."

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"In light of these extraordinary circumstances, the board of Nation Cymru feels compelled to act, as it cannot simply watch Ms Blythyn's good name be unfairly tarnished by the first minister."

He stated, "Hannah Blythyn has acted with honesty. Vaughan Gething, on the other hand, has not."

Sky News has reached out to Welsh Labour for their comments.

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