THE world of Welsh politics was rocked today by news of the resignation of the leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly.

Andrew RT Davies announced he has quit the role after seven years in charge.

In a statement he said it was with "deep regret" he had resigned after a group meeting earlier today.

He had been criticised for suggesting firms like Airbus - which employs 6,000 people at its plant in Flintshire - were undermining Brexit by warning they would close their UK plants.

Guto Bebb, a Welsh Conservative MP and UK defence minister, had accused Mr Davies of making "inflammatory" remarks after Mr Davies said Airbus had been making "threats" to leave the UK over its fears Brexit would hit trade.He also disputed Mr Davies' position as Welsh Conservative leader insisting he was only the leader of the party's group in the Welsh Assembly.

In his statement, Mr Davies said: “It is with deep regret that I announce that I have today tendered my resignation as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly. This was done in a letter to our Group Chairman following a meeting this morning of all group members.

“It has been a huge privilege to serve in this position since 2011, after securing the mandate of the party in a ballot of the membership. It is my firm belief that any Leader of the Assembly Group should secure the same mandate in a full ballot of the grassroots, and I hope that my successor will emerge in that manner.

“I would like to thank the Group for their support throughout my leadership, and in particular to express my gratitude to the many dedicated and professional staff I have had the privilege to work with – and for.

“I look forward to supporting whoever emerges from the contest to replace me, and I will continue to place all of my efforts into advancing the Welsh Conservative cause both here in Wales and Westminster.

“As a party we would achieve nothing without the hard work and dedication of our grassroots and I would like to thank them all for the support they have given me in Wales. Nothing could make me prouder than to have enjoyed their backing throughout this journey.

“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for her support and I wish her the very best in delivering for the country and the Conservative Party moving forward.

“And finally, thanks to my family, particularly my wife Julia who has supported me each and every step of the way.”Mr Davies, who has family connections to Newbridge-on-Wye was the Conservative candidate for Brecon and Radnorshire at the 2005 general election, but finished second to Liberal Democrat Roger Williams. He was elected to the Welsh Assembly in 2007, for the South Wales Central region which includes the Vale of Glamorgan where he farms.

Responding to the news, the Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party, Theresa May, said: “I would like to send my thanks and best wishes to Andrew as he steps down after seven years as Leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh Assembly.

“Under Andrew’s leadership, the Welsh Conservatives have provided a strong opposition to Labour in Cardiff Bay and a strong voice for the people of Wales, both at home and in Westminster.

“It was a pleasure to join Andrew and the rest of the team at the Welsh Conservative conference last month. I know he will continue to be a passionate champion for the people of South Wales Central in the Assembly, as he has been for more than a decade – and will continue to speak up for the best interests of Wales as we leave the European Union and forge a new role for the whole United Kingdom on the world stage.”

Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies said he was disappointed to learn Mr Davies had resigned as Conservative leader in the Assembly.But he said he didn't believe the resignation was due to the comments made over Airbus or the UK government's decision against going ahead with a tidal lagoon at Swansea, which Tories in the Assembly had strongly supported.The Conservative MP said: "Andrew has been a very enthusiastic advocate for Conservatism and Wales right across the country. He was a great friend before either of us entered politics and I look forward to our friendship continuing, we've not heard the last of Andrew RT Davies."Asked if Mr Davies' comments about Airbus could be behind his resignation, the MP said: "I don't see why they should. Jeremy Hunt came out with very similar comments on the weekend."I think Andrew has done his time. Carwyn Jones is long overdue to stand down and Leanne Wood (Plaid Cymru) I'm sure will be the next leader to stand down. The Assembly is seeing some changes."Carwyn Jones announced in the spring he would step down as First Minister and Welsh Labour leader in December while Leanne Wood could face a leadership challenge in Plaid Cymru.Mr Davies said there was support from across Wales in Parliament for the tidal lagoon but said its cost couldn't be justified."I don't think that had any bearing on it at all," said Mr Davies in response to whether the former Welsh leader had been victim of the fall out.Ukip Wales leader Neil Hamilton said he was sorry to hear of Mr Davies' resignation, praising him as a rare "combative Brexiteer" in the ranks of the Welsh Conservatives."I am sorry that Andrew RT Davies resigned this morning as leader of the Welsh Conservatives. Andrew is a combative Brexiteer in a Tory group which is dominated by Remainers. "Andrew RT is not the only one out of a job. According to the Assembly Commission, the Tory group staff are all now out of a job too, as their contracts automatically end without notice when a group leader resigns. "This was the Commission's argument before the Employment Tribunal last week to justify Caroline Jones' sudden dismissal of UKIP's former Chief of Staff, Robin Hunter-Clarke, after she became UKIP Group Leader. They argued in court that the contracts were personal to the group leader in whose name the contracts were signed."I challenge the Assembly Commission to justify publicly their disgraceful policy of deliberately depriving political group staff of their job security and employment protection rights."