Thomas quits after pub cigar gaffe

Former Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas handed in his resignation to First Minister Rhodri Morgan, saying that a growing reputation for gaffes had made his position "no longer sustainable".

Plaid Cymru AM Mr Thomas wandered up to the bar on Wednesday night, apparently forgetting that he was breaking the no-smoking law. When a member of staff at the Eli Jenkins in Cardiff pointed out the lit cigar in his hand, Mr Thomas apologised and went back outside.

Several journalists, politicians and their staff were drinking in the pub's beer garden opposite the National Assembly after the final plenary session of the summer term on Wednesday night.

It is Mr Thomas's second recent faux pas. Earlier this month he mistakenly read out the wrong name when announcing the winner of a literary award. By the time Mr Thomas corrected himself, runner up Tom Bullough had already left his table and was making his way to the stage at the Wales Book of the Year ceremony.

The Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM was responsible for policy on culture, sport and the Welsh language in the one-year-old Assembly coalition between his party and Labour.

He presented his resignation to his party leader, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, at a meeting with him in Caernarfon, North Wales.

In his letter to the First Minister he wrote: "In the light of the publicity that has been following me in the last weeks I feel that my position in the Government is no longer sustainable. Further comments would be bound to follow. It has been a privilege to be part of this Government during this exceedingly exciting period."

Both Mr Morgan and Mr Jones thanked him for his contribution to the One Wales coalition administration, especially his work on preparing forthcoming legislation on the Welsh language.

"I wish you well both personally and in your future career," Mr Morgan said in his reply.