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![]() Thursday, October 29, 1998 Published at 20:16 GMT ![]() ![]() UK Politics ![]() Davies stands down as Welsh leader ![]() Ron Davies has not been seen at his Caerphilly home ![]() By Political Correspondent Nick Assinder Former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies will not stand as leader of the Labour party in the Welsh Assembly.
Mr Davies quit the cabinet after admitting a serious lapse of judgement which led to an incident on Clapham Common. The announcement on Thursday night follows a series of crisis phone calls with his local party officials.
Pressure has been mounting on Mr Davies to quit, and Downing Street has been markedly reluctant to throw its weight behind him. Mr Blair spoke to him on the telephone and told a cabinet meeting that he was saddened by his resignation. Closing the net But, despite denials that Downing Street was distancing itself from him, it was clear that the prime minister was eager not to get drawn into the affair.
Earlier, Welsh Euro-MP David Morris said he believed Mr Davies had no option but to quit. "I think now, because of the rumours that are circulating, because it appears that he hasn't got confidence in his own people to share with them what he has done, I believe he is losing sympathy," he said. Senior Labour backbencher Donald Anderson (Swansea East) expressed concern that the full details of what Mr Davies had done were still not known. "He has told the prime minister certain facts. Whether those are the complete facts, we do not know," he said.
Three people who were arrested in connection with the alleged mugging have been released on bail after being questioned by police. Mr Davies's care was found in a street in Brixton, South London.
It is also likely that Mr Davies will be questioned again by police over the incident on Clapham Common. Mr Davies has been out of contact since his decision on Tuesday to quit the cabinet. He is believed to be staying with his wife at friends. ![]() |
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