Carwyn Jones to step down as Welsh first minister after the 'darkest of times'

Carwyn Jones has announced he is to stand down as first minister of Wales.

The 51-year-old made the announcement at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno on Saturday.

Mr Jones acknowledged "the darkest of times" in recent months, referring to the death of assembly member Carl Sargeant.

Mr Sargeant is believed to have taken his own life four days after being removed from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children while facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

After Mr Sargeant's death, Mr Jones referred himself to an independent inquiry over allegations of bullying at a senior level of the Welsh Government three years ago.

Former minister Leighton Andrews has said that Mr Sargeant was "unquestionably the target" of some of the behaviour.

Mr Jones previously told assembly members that any issues brought to his attention at that time were dealt with.

However leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies suggested Mr Jones may have "misled assembly members" over his knowledge of bullying in the Welsh Government.

His decision to stand down will bring to an end his nine-year stint as first minister.

Mr Jones told the conference: "In any normal political career, you expect to be put through the ringer, and even have your integrity challenged.

"I don't think anyone can know what these last few months have been like. No-one that is, apart from Lisa and the kids.

"They have carried me through the darkest of times. I have asked too much of them, and it is time for me to think about what's fair for them.

"And so, this will be the last Welsh Labour conference I address as party leader."

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood congratulated Mr Jones on his leadership and wished him and his family well.

She added: "Wales needs more than a change of leader.

“We need a new government with the ideas, the values and the drive to build our nation into the successful country we know it could be.

“Wales can and must be better than this – rearranging the deckchairs will not deliver the change we need."

Mr Jones said he is to stand down in the autumn.

Additional reporting by Press Association