CAERPHILLY AM Jeff Cuthbert has said he was left feeling “shell-shocked” after losing his cabinet post in yesterday's Welsh Government cabinet re-shuffle.

Mr Cuthbert, who was the AM for Communities and Tacking Poverty, was replaced by Lesley Griffiths on Thursday.

The Caerphilly AM said that he had told First Minister Carwyn Jones in private some time before that he planned to step down as he approached his 68th birthday.

The AM said he had already been a part of three reshuffles in his time and said the reason for the reshuffle was the First Minister was looking to “get his team in before the next election.”

“I was a little bit shell-shocked yesterday because of the speed of it,” he said.

“I told him in private that I would be unlikely to stand again because I would be 68 at that time [of the next election.] “It wasn’t an argument - it was his absolute right to choose.

“I am really grateful for the three and a half years I have had., hopefully I have made a positive difference.

“It is the nature of reshuffles that they happen immediately, you always feel that things aren’t done, but it is easy to clear your desk; it is not so easy to clear your mind. “ The AM said he will offer support and advice to his successor in the role Lesley Griffiths, who he called a “very capable lady” who he has known for many years.

He will continue in his role as AM for the next 18 months.