Vaughan Gething’s former leadership rival Jeremy Miles has said he will not be standing in the race to succeed Wales’s outgoing first minister.

Mr Miles lost out to Mr Gething in March and had been widely expected to stand again.

But he has instead given his backing to Welsh health secretary Eluned Morgan.

Mr Miles was economy secretary in Mr Gething’s cabinet until he, along with three other ministers, resigned from the government last Tuesday, calling for him to go.

Later that day, Mr Gething announced he would step down as first minister.

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Labour’s Welsh executive committee met on Saturday to discuss the leadership election.

Senedd members will have until midday on Wednesday to nominate candidates.

The winner will be announced on Saturday 14 September, with a vote in the Senedd to confirm the new first minister on Wednesday 18 September.

A member of the House of Lords, Baroness Morgan of Ely has represented Mid and West Wales in the Senedd since 2016.

She has served as health secretary since 2021 and also holds responsibility for the Welsh language.

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In a statement on X, Mr Miles said he would be nominating the health secretary for the Welsh Labour leadership.

He said Baroness Morgan’s leadership “would enable us all to move forward”.

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Mr Miles said: “Eluned is a friend of Wales as well as a valued colleague. She has stood up for the interests of Wales in the Senedd but also in Europe, and Westminster.

“The values she champions – of fairness, prosperity for all, a greener future and a strong devolution settlement – are ones which I passionately share.

“Welsh Labour under Eluned would reach out and represent all parts of our nation.”

Mr Miles also said he was “really grateful” to those who had encouraged him to stand in the election.

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