Three Labour whips at the National Assembly have resigned following the departure of First Secretary Alun Michael.

Michael loyalists, deputy chief whip Lorraine Barrett and whips Huw Lewis and Janice Gregory all stood down as whips after a meeting of the Labour Assembly group on Wednesday.

They remain Labour Assembly members. A party source said tonight: "They resigned because they had no confidence in Labour chief whip Andrew Davies, who they believed to be behind the plot against Alun.

"It is nothing to do with Rhodri Morgan. They all spoke out in favour of him as interim leader."

Andrew Davies said: "I refute the claim absolutely. They were very upset by Alun's resignation, they were obviously strong supporters. When you are upset you often lash out."

Ms Barrett is the Assembly Member for Mr Michael's parliamentary constituency, Cardiff South and Penarth, and she previously worked as his personal and political assistant.

She was a member of Labour's national policy forum and the Welsh executive and a former councillor.

She said: "I have resigned as deputy chief whip. I felt I could no longer work with the chief whip. But I have assured Rhodri Morgan he has my total support."

Mr Lewis, AM for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, is married to fellow Labour Assembly member Lynne Neagle.

He is a former assistant general secretary of the Wales Labour Party.

He was not available for comment but Ms Neagle said: "Not everyone was as loyal as they might have been.

"I think everyone respected the way Alun handled a very difficult situation over the past few weeks.

"Even people who were not natural Alun Michael supporters paid tribute to the way he handled himself. In my opinion he has been totally selfless. He has acted in the interests of the party and I respect him for that."

Ogmore AM Janice Gregory is the daughter of Ogmore MP Sir Ray Powell.

She used to work as his personal assistant and has been a Labour party member for more than 25 years.

Callaghan advises Blair

She is the secretary of the party's women's council.

Meanwhile, former Labour Prime Minister, Lord Callaghan has urged Alun Michael to continue his Westminster political career.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, Lord Callaghan advised Tony Blair to reinstate Mr Michael as a government minister as soon as possible.

He added that Wales could expect competence and fireworks from Rhodri Morgan's leadership.