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Wales' health minister launched a tirade about one of his fellow AMs, asking "what the f*** is the matter with her" while being streamed live during an online conference.

Vaughan Gething was speaking during Plenary at the Senedd when he was asked a question by fellow Labour AM Jenny Rathbone, who asked a number of questions, as is her duty as a backbencher. They included questions on PPE and testing, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some were fairly critical of the Welsh Government saying that "some of my constituents who are care workers have had huge difficulty getting tested".

Mr Gething answered her questions calmly enough while knowing he was on screen but, having done so, his demeanour changed and he embarked on a tirade against Ms Rathbone, seemingly furious or frustrated with her for her questions. But his microphone was still on and his comments continued to be broadcast.

He is heard to say: " I tell you what, I know Jenny is regularly [inaudible] but... what the f*** is the matter with her?"

The presiding officer can then be heard trying to speak over him which makes the rest of what he says inaudible except for a few words. The session was then delayed while the "technical problems" were sorted out.

Other AMs were seen to be either laughing out loud or holding their heads in their hands, depending on their political leanings.

He has since written on Twitter that he is "obviously embarrassed about my comments at the end of questions today". He said he'd sent a message to Ms Rathbone apologising and offering to speak to her, adding: "It is an unwelcome distraction at a time of unprecedented challenge."

Ms Rathbone did not respond to our requests for comment but a spokesman for the Welsh Government told WalesOnline that "the Minister had contacted the member concerned to apologise".

Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price called on the First Minister to relieve Mr Gething of his responsibilities “with immediate effect”.

Mr Price said: "He has not only failed over the last month several times, he has failed to acknowledge that he has failed and aggressively attacks even those within his own party who question him. He does not have the right attitude, skills or temperament to lead the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic. To maintain public confidence the First Minister needs to relieve him of these responsibilities with immediate effect.

“There are experienced members on the First Minister’s backbenchers who could be brought into government to fill any vacuum."