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| 'Bullying and toxicity' in Welsh Government, says ex-aide | 'Bullying and toxicity' in Welsh Government, says ex-aide |
| (8 days later) | |
| Fresh claims about bullying in the Welsh Government have been made by a former adviser to Wales' first minister. | Fresh claims about bullying in the Welsh Government have been made by a former adviser to Wales' first minister. |
| Steve Jones said he agreed with former cabinet minister Leighton Andrews, who has described a "toxic" atmosphere at the top of the administration. | Steve Jones said he agreed with former cabinet minister Leighton Andrews, who has described a "toxic" atmosphere at the top of the administration. |
| They spoke out following the death of sacked former communities minister Carl Sargeant who was found dead on Tuesday. | They spoke out following the death of sacked former communities minister Carl Sargeant who was found dead on Tuesday. |
| The Welsh Government said it did not recognise Mr Jones's claims. | The Welsh Government said it did not recognise Mr Jones's claims. |
| Mr Sargeant was found dead at home four days after being sacked by First Minister Carwyn Jones over allegations of improper conduct towards women. | Mr Sargeant was found dead at home four days after being sacked by First Minister Carwyn Jones over allegations of improper conduct towards women. |
| Before leaving the Welsh Government in September 2014, Steve Jones was a media adviser for the first minister and also worked on his Labour leadership campaign. | Before leaving the Welsh Government in September 2014, Steve Jones was a media adviser for the first minister and also worked on his Labour leadership campaign. |
| In a statement, he said he agreed entirely with Mr Andrews's description of "toxicity" in the government and said that the behaviour of some was "pure poison". | In a statement, he said he agreed entirely with Mr Andrews's description of "toxicity" in the government and said that the behaviour of some was "pure poison". |
| "Ministers were undermined by senior advisers playing power games and seeking to exert unreasonable control over government and the first minister himself," he said. | "Ministers were undermined by senior advisers playing power games and seeking to exert unreasonable control over government and the first minister himself," he said. |
| Some ministers, including Mr Sargeant, "would have their diaries unreasonably monitored and questioned, their policy proposals shelved and direct access to the first minister blocked". | Some ministers, including Mr Sargeant, "would have their diaries unreasonably monitored and questioned, their policy proposals shelved and direct access to the first minister blocked". |
| "It went way beyond any 'office politics' or personality clashes," he said. | "It went way beyond any 'office politics' or personality clashes," he said. |
| Mr Jones said at one stage he intended to resign because of the effect on his wellbeing but changed his mind when the first minister urged him to reconsider. | Mr Jones said at one stage he intended to resign because of the effect on his wellbeing but changed his mind when the first minister urged him to reconsider. |
| "Things improved for a few months, then the poison returned and it began to engulf others - advisers and ministers alike. | "Things improved for a few months, then the poison returned and it began to engulf others - advisers and ministers alike. |
| "It was clear that all this was getting Carl down. | "It was clear that all this was getting Carl down. |
| Mr Jones added: "It became increasingly obvious that Carwyn was either unwilling or unable to address the culture that existed within his office. He allowed it to develop, fester and grow." | Mr Jones added: "It became increasingly obvious that Carwyn was either unwilling or unable to address the culture that existed within his office. He allowed it to develop, fester and grow." |
| The Welsh Government said: "We do not recognise these comments. All complaints regarding staff and special adviser conduct are taken seriously and dealt with accordingly." | The Welsh Government said: "We do not recognise these comments. All complaints regarding staff and special adviser conduct are taken seriously and dealt with accordingly." |
| Former communities secretary Mr Sargeant was being investigated over claims of "unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping" and was also suspended by Welsh Labour. | |
| The first minister has said he will order an independent inquiry into his handling of Mr Sargeant's dismissal. | The first minister has said he will order an independent inquiry into his handling of Mr Sargeant's dismissal. |
| On Sunday, Wales' health secretary Vaughan Gething said he did not believe Mr Jones would resign following anger and criticism of his actions. | On Sunday, Wales' health secretary Vaughan Gething said he did not believe Mr Jones would resign following anger and criticism of his actions. |
| But Bernie Attridge, a lifelong friend of Mr Sargeant and the deputy leader of Flintshire council, has called on the first minister to step aside. | But Bernie Attridge, a lifelong friend of Mr Sargeant and the deputy leader of Flintshire council, has called on the first minister to step aside. |