First Minister "fought hard for Wales"

The Archbishop of Wales paid tribute to Rhodri Morgan as he announced his retirement as First Minister for Wales and Welsh Labour leader.

Dr Barry Morgan said, "Rhodri Morgan has been an outstanding First Minister. He is that rare combination of being a safe pair of hands, and yet someone who says what he thinks, even if it is 'off message' as far as the UK Government is concerned.

"He has fought hard on behalf of Wales whatever the issue and he has never been threatened by colleagues. The team around him is virtually the one he has always had and that further helps in building up a confident Wales. The One Wales document with Plaid Cymru maps out a clear future for Wales and lays a firm foundation for a more developed devolution in Wales."