Hannah Blythyn appointed Senedd standards chair after leak allegations

Hannah Blythyn, a Welsh government minister, was dismissed from her role as minister for social partnership in May due to allegations of leaking messages to the media, which she has vehemently denied. The controversy arose after messages from a ministerial group chat were published on Nation.Cymru, leading to scrutiny over her conduct. Former first minister Vaughan Gething stated he had no choice but to ask her to leave after reviewing the evidence, although he indicated a potential return to government was possible. Despite her dismissal, Blythyn has maintained her innocence, expressing her shock and sadness over the situation. She emphasized her commitment to integrity in politics, asserting that she has never leaked any information. The allegations and subsequent fallout contributed to Gething's resignation after just four months in office, highlighting the political tensions within the Welsh government during a challenging period marked by the COVID pandemic. Recently, Blythyn was appointed as the chair of the Senedd's standards committee, a role she assumed unopposed. This committee is responsible for reviewing the code of conduct for members and addressing complaints referred by the standards commissioner. Her election to this position was confirmed just before the first session of first minister's questions led by Eluned Morgan. Blythyn's new role raises questions about the implications of her previous dismissal and the ongoing scrutiny of her actions. As she steps into this position, it remains to be seen how her past controversies will influence her work in maintaining standards within the Welsh parliament.