EMBATTLED First Minister Vaughan Gething has appointed Sarah Murphy as his new social partnership minister to replace Hannah Blythyn.

The First Minister sacked Ms Blythyn, the Labour Senedd Member for Delyn, for allegedly leaking to the media although Ms Blythyn strongly denied that she has “ever leaked anything.” 

Mr Gething said: “Sarah will take forward our ongoing work with our valued social partners, as well as providing leadership for our creative, hospitality, tourism and retail sectors.

“I warmly welcome Sarah to my talented and ambitious cabinet team.”

Ms Murphy was elected to the Senedd in 2021 for the Bridgend constituency with a majority of 4,064.

She had previously helped former first minister Mark Drakeford’s successful campaign to become Welsh Labour leader and Ms Murphy had also worked for former environment minister Lee Waters.

Ms Murphy has worked with trade unions on the dangers to workers of artificial intelligence and helped establish the Senedd cross-party group on digital rights and democracy.