Carwyn Jones to stand down as First Minister in the autumn

Carwyn Jones has been First Minister for 9 years.

First Minister Carwyn Jones has announced that he will step down in the autumn.

The 51-year-old former barrister, from Swansea, made the announcement at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno on Saturday.

He said that his successor would be in place by December.

ITV Wales Political Editor Adrian Masters says the news comes as a shock to many attendees, including Labour Assembly Members.

Carwyn Jones says he intends to stay on as a backbench AM and won’t force a by-election.

His decision to stand down will bring to an end his nine-year stint as First Minister, succeeding Rhodri Morgan in December 2009.

The decision comes months after Mr Jones referred himself to an independent inquiry over allegations of bullying at a senior level of the Welsh Government three years ago, following the death of assembly member Carl Sargeant in November.

Mr Jones acknowledged his battle with "the darkest of times" in recent months:

Carwyn Jones succeeded Rhodri Morgan in December 2009. Credit: PA images

He also thanked his family and Labour members for their support over the last nine years:

''To my children. Sorry for all the times I wasn't there and all the things I missed. It'll change in the future. And to you, my Labour family. Thanks for all your support. Without the doors you knock, without the leaflets you deliver, without the work you do in your communities I know I wouldn't have been given this opportunity.''

Party leaders have given their support following the shock announcement.

Welsh Conservatives leader, Andrew RT Davies, said despite being on 'opposites sides' of politics, he wished Carwyn Jones well:

Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood AM congratulated him on his tenure but said ''rearranging the deckchairs will not deliver change':

Meanwhile Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, thanked Mr Jones for his service to the party. He said: ''Carwyn has led Welsh Labour to achieve unprecedented electoral success, forming two Labour Welsh Assembly governments. Over the last nine years he has stood up to Tory austerity and stood up for the people of Wales as a strong voice for devolution and democracy."

You can watch the First Minister's speech at the Welsh Labour confrence below: