The leader of the Tories in Wales quit today after a showdown meeting with senior figures in the party.

Andrew RT Davies said he was resigning with 'deep regret' after nearly seven years in the job.

He had been facing criticism within the party for condemning firms like Airbus for their dire warnings about the consequences of Brexit.

It is understood Theresa May had no role in forcing Mr Davies out and it was down to splits with colleagues in Wales.

Conservative assembly member Mark Reckless said: 'Awful that Welsh Conservative leader @AndrewRTDavies has been pushed out by Remainers for backing Brexit. Such a decent man.'

Andrew RT Davies said he was resigning with 'deep regret' after nearly seven years in the job

Conservative assembly member Mark Reckless said Mr Davies had been 'pushed out by Remainers for backing Brexit'

'It is with deep regret that I announce I have today tendered my resignation as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly,' Mr Davies said.

'This was done in a letter to our Group Chairman following a meeting this morning of all group members.'

Airbus had issued a bloodcurdling threat to pull out of the UK if the government fails to strike a deal with the EU.

Mr Davies hit back by accusing the European aerospace giant of making threats and 'hyperbole'.

But critics pointed out that the company employed more than 6,400 people at its base in Wales.

Welsh MP and defence minister Guto Bebb waded into the row by branding the comment 'inflammatory'.

Theresa May paid tribute to Mr Davies, saying she was sure he would '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'.

'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,' the PM said.

'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.'

The resignation did not please one Bishop, Ryan Cleminson, who was on his way to meet Mr Davies when the news broke.

Airbus has issued a bloodcurdling threat to pull out of the UK if the government fails to strike a deal with the EU. Pictured is the unveiling of an A320 jet in 2014

The resignation did not please one Bishop, Ryan Cleminson, who was on his way to meet Mr Davies when the news broke. But Mr Davies sportingly offered to pick up the bill for his wasted train journey

'Annoyingly you decide to announce your resignation as I am traveling to Cardiff to meet with you. Thanks for the late notice and for the cost of the travel from Swansea to Cardiff which I paid for we as a church don’t pay our staff neither do we earn a wage,' he tweeted.

But Mr Davies sportingly replied that he would foot the bill.

He replied: 'Very sorry Bishop but sadly politics is an unpredictable business - as they say ‘events dear boy events’.

'My office will be in touch to rearrange the meeting and it should go without saying that I will pick up the tab for the train ticket. Cheers!