Welsh Conservatives leader resigns after Airbus Brexit storm

well. We are getting to the business end of the negotiations and there is a lot of hyperbole flying around.”

UK defence minister Guto Bebb, who represents Aberconwy, called on him to retract his “inflammatory” comments, saying: “Shooting the messenger is an unworthy position for a politician to take not least when that politician aspires to lead a government in Wales.”

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting, Mr Davies said: “It is my firm belief that any leader of the Assembly group should secure the same mandate in a full ballot of the grassroots and I hope that my successor will emerge in that manner.

“I look forward to supporting whoever emerges from the contest to replace me and I will continue to place all of my efforts into advancing the Welsh Conservative cause both here in Wales and Westminster.”

Prime Minister Theresa May thanked Mr Davies for his service and said the Welsh Conservatives had provided a strong opposition to Labour in Cardiff Bay under his leadership.

“I know he will continue to be a passionate champion for the people of South Wales Central in the Assembly, as he has been for more than a decade,” she added.

First Minister Carwyn Jones, said: “Despite our obvious political differences, I always found Andrew to be good company and he never broke the confidences I shared with him as leader of the opposition. That is the sign of a decent