Vaughan Gething was first minister for part of 2024 [PA Media]
The former first minister Vaughan Gething was blocked from taking part in a Senedd vote on Wednesday evening because he was in a car.
While they can vote when they are not in the chamber, Members of the Senedd (MSs) are told not to do so from a vehicle, or whilst travelling.
Gething was seen in a car by other MSs on the Zoom call used for remote working. Another MS - former minister Lee Waters - was seen doing the same last week.
Gething was asked to comment. BBC Wales was told that Waters had parenting responsibilities that day and had arranged to take part in a vote from a venue but the vote was called early.
Ex-transport minister Lee Waters apologised to the Presiding Officer Elin Jones on 21 September after he was spotted in a car by Conservative Senedd member Sam Kurtz, during a vote on UK government bus legislation.
The next day Jones reminded Senedd members of guidance. "No member should vote whilst in a vehicle, on public transport or whilst travelling," she told the Welsh Parliament.
"That is what will be implemented here on in".
A week later, Vaughan Gething was seen in a car by Members of the Senedd during voting time at about 1807 on Wednesday.
As a result, David Rees, Deputy Presiding Officer, said he would not accept the vote.
Rees did not identify the person involved but BBC Wales understands from multiple sources that Gething was seen on the debating chamber's screens.
Vaughan Gething was first minister for a brief tumultuous period in the Senedd between March and August 2024.
He was forced to resign by some of his ministers after months of drama largely centered on his decision to take £200,000 for his leadership campaign from a man twice convicted of waste crimes.
Gething also made headlines during the early days of the pandemic, when the Senedd moved to using Zoom instead of meeting in person.
The MS for Cardiff South and Penarth was heard using a swear word when talking about another Labour Senedd member, when his microphone was switched on.
Remote voting in the Senedd has been controversial in the past.
The Welsh government narrowly won a crucial vote on Covid passes for nightclubs in 2021 because a single Conservative Senedd member was at a party conference in Manchester.
The Tories reiterated calls for hybrid arrangements - which have been kept post-pandemic and that allow MSs to take part in votes and debates remotely - to be abolished.
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said: "The voters of Wales elect MSs to the Senedd, not their sofas, armchairs or cars. Trying to vote from a motor vehicle is totally disrespectful.
"The pandemic is long over and it's time that virtual attendance and participation in Senedd proceedings was brought to an end."
BBC Wales was told that Waters had parenting responsibilities that day, and had arranged to take part in a vote from a venue - but the vote was called early while Waters was travelling as a passenger and listening to the debate.
Waters told BBC Wales: "I took part in the plenary session remotely as most members do from time to time. This is a job like few others and the flexibility to vote remotely when needed is important."
A spokesperson for Elin Jones said: "In accordance with guidance issued by the Llywydd, Members must not vote while in a vehicle or public transport or whilst travelling. Members were reminded of this in plenary [a full Senedd session] last week.
"On this basis, the deputy presiding officer did not accept one member's vote at voting time yesterday evening."
[SRC] https://www.aol.com/articles/former-first-minister-blocked-voting-111651766.html
