Image source, Reuters

A Welsh Conservative source questions whether Alun Cairns should stand at the election after having to resign his post.

They tell the BBC: "If you can’t hold the line as a cabinet minister, how could you credibly be a candidate?"

Paul Davies AM, the leader of the Conservatives at the Welsh Assembly, says while he is "sorry" to see Alun Cairns resign as Welsh secretary, "under the circumstances this was the right decision for him".

"Alun has rightly stated that he will co-operate fully with any investigations," he says.

"I would like to thank Alun for his service to Wales as our Secretary of State where he brought an end to the Severn Bridge tolls which will leave a lasting legacy on the Welsh economy."

Image source, Labour Party

Labour's shadow secretary for Wales, Christina Rees, said Alun Cairns' resignation is "far from the end of the matter".

Instead, she calls it a "shoddy halfway house that will fool nobody".

Ms Rees adds: "He has still not explained his behaviour and still not addressed the grave issues raised by the leaked emails yesterday.

"Worse still, neither he nor any senior Welsh Tory have apologised to one person who most deserves it - the victim herself.

"He should do the right thing - apologise and step down as a candidate."

Katya Adler
Europe Editor

Famous for extravagant pronouncements and gestures like kissing EU leaders on the forehead or playfully slapping their face - Jean Claude Juncker was untypically guarded. He clearly didn't want to be seen to be trying to interfere in the general election.

However, when I put some Brexit promises to him being made by the various political parties, engage he did, crushing a number of key party pledges in the process - from an EU perspective, at least.

First off, Mr Juncker told me he thought Brexit would happen by the end of January, as Boris Johnson claims.

"The Brexit process has gone on too long already," he said.

But the outgoing European Commission president very much took issue with the prime minister's assertion that a brand-new comprehensive post-Brexit EU-UK trade deal could then be negotiated in a year or less.

Read more from Katya here

Felicity Evans
BBC Wales political editor

BBC Wales political editor Felicity Evans says the resignation of Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns "clearly overshadows" the Tory campaign in Wales.

She says the Conservative Party had ambitions to gain seats in Wales and this decision has presumably been taken because they "do not want this controversy damaging their prospects".

Image source, PA Media

Plaid Cymru’s leader in Westminster, Liz Saville Roberts, welcomes the resignation of Alun Cairns.

In a statement, she says she hopes it "proves to be some solace to the woman at the centre of this case, who still has received no apology from the Conservative Party".

Ms Saville Roberts adds: “Mr Cairns’ conduct proved unquestionably that he is not fit to hold ministerial office.

"You simply cannot be complicit in the attempted cover up of sabotaging a rape trial and hope to get away with it.

"Such conduct is neither befitting of a government minister, nor of a member of Parliament.

"Mr Cairns should do the honourable thing and withdraw from the election – and if he doesn’t, the Conservative Party should insist he withdraws.”

Dear Prime Minister

You will be aware of allegations relating to the actions of a party employee and candidate for the Welsh Assembly elections in the Vale of Glamorgan.

This is a very sensitive matter, and in light of continued speculation, I write to tender my resignation as secretary of state for Wales.

I will co-operate in full with the investigation under the ministerial code which will now take place and I am confident I will be cleared of any breach or wrong doing.

It has been an honour to serve in your government and a privilege to see the positive steps you have made in such a short time.

Your work to secure a deal to leave the European Union has been extraordinary and the opportunities it brings are exciting for all parts of the country.

I thank you for your commitment to the Union and the way in which you have made it central to all areas of government policy.

My experience of seeing your work first hand with cabinet colleagues gives me confidence for the future.

Your vision and drive to move the country forward to meet the opportunities of Brexit and to protect and enhance public services is exemplary.

I will continue to work to support your vision and ambitions for the country and am grateful for the honour of serving in your cabinet.

BBC Politics Live
BBC2's lunchtime political programme

Deputy chair of the Conservative Party Paul Scully says comments by Jacob Rees-Mogg about the Grenfell Tower fire were "totally inappropriate".

The leader of the Commons has been criticised for saying it would have been "common sense" to flee the tower block during the fire, ignoring fire brigade advice.

However, Mr Scully rejected calls for Mr Rees-Mogg to resign, saying he realised the comments were wrong and had apologised.

Preparations are under way for Boris Johnson to give a speech outside Downing Street.

Just before 12:00 GMT, sound technicians began to set up the plain brown lectern outside No 10.

It does not have the government seal on front because it is party business.

The prime minister has responded to the resignation of his Wales Secretary Alun Cairns.

In a letter to the now-former minister, Boris Johnson says he is "extremely grateful" for the work of Mr Cairns since he started the role in 2016.

Mr Johnson also says he is "pleased to hear" that Mr Cairns will co-operate fully in the investigation into the incident.

Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns has resigned after being embroiled in controversy after his former aide "sabotaged" a rape trial.

Ross England made claims about the victim's sexual history in an April 2018 trial, which led to its collapse.

Mr Cairns denied knowing about this, but BBC Wales has seen an email sent to him in August 2018 mentioning the matter.

You can read more about the story here.

Nigel Farage says he is "realistic" that under the UK's current political system - called First Past the Post - only Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn can become the next prime minister.

He says it is "funny" watching the Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson say she could be the next person in No 10, but adds: "It has no crediblity".

But Mr Farage says it is the same for the Brexit Party.

He says: "We can't win this election, but what we can do and what I am going to do... is fight the case to get enough MPs into Westminster to make the difference."

Mr Farage claims the most likely outcome of the 12 December poll is a hung Parliament.

But, he says getting Brexit Party MPs into Parliament will "put the fear of God" into the government and they "might be able to get Brexit going in the right direction".

Mr Farage adds: "One good thing about Boris is he changes his mind all the time.

"He is very good at moving around with the wind, and if we can get that wind strong, saying we voted to leave the EU and nothing else is good enough, he will change and we will get there."

Image source, PA Media

Continuing his speech in Workington, Nigel Farage criticises both Labour and the Conservatives for their stances on leaving the EU.

The Brexit Party leader says: "If you are a Leave voter, you cannot vote Labour in this election because it's clear they will betray your vote."

He says Boris Johnson's deal was 95% "Mrs May's bad, old treaty", adding: "I like Boris personally but I'm sorry to say what he is presenting just is not Brexit, it is as simple as that."

Mr Farage's speech is interrupted by a woman shouting "fascists" as she leaves the room part-way through.