Vaughan Gething an8k8 promotion centernounces resignation as Wales's first minister

LONDON -- Vaughan Gething announced on Tuesday that he is quitting as Wales' first minister.

"I have this morning taken the difficult decision to begin the process of stepping down as leader of the Welsh Labour Party and, as a result, First Minister," Gething said in a statement.

"Having been elected as leader of my party in March, I had hoped that over the summer a period of reflection, rebuilding and renewal could take place under my leadership. I recognize now that this is not possible," he said.

According to Gething, he will discuss a timetable for the election of a new leader.

Gething has been under mounting pressure over a controversial 200,000-pound ($259,000) donation to his leadership campaign. However, he denied wrongdoing and said in his statement he has never compromised his integrity.

"My integrity matters. I have not compromised it," he said.

Critics said Gething should not have accepted the donation from a man previously convicted of environmental offenses. In response, Gething said the donation was within the rules and was declared in line with party protocols.

However, he refused calls for an inquiry into the donation, but instead commissioned a wider review into political donations.

Gething's resignation came after several ministers quit the Welsh government on Tuesday, calling him to stand down.

Gething was elected to succeed Mark Drakeford as leader of Welsh Labour in March. Last month, he lost a non-binding vote of no confidence in the Senedd, the Welsh parliament.