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Welsh first minister to face investigation into Labour party bullying Welsh first minister to face investigation into Labour party bullying
(35 minutes later)
The Labour Welsh first minister is to face an investigation over claims of bullying within his office that were highlighted following the sacking and death of the assembly member Carl Sargeant.The Labour Welsh first minister is to face an investigation over claims of bullying within his office that were highlighted following the sacking and death of the assembly member Carl Sargeant.
Carwyn Jones has come under increasing pressure from former colleagues and political opponents to spell out what he knew of the bullying claims and what, if anything, he did about them.Carwyn Jones has come under increasing pressure from former colleagues and political opponents to spell out what he knew of the bullying claims and what, if anything, he did about them.
On Thursday, Jones announced the rules had been amended to allow independent assessment of how a first minister adheres to the ministerial code. He then immediately referred himself over the bullying allegations.On Thursday, Jones announced the rules had been amended to allow independent assessment of how a first minister adheres to the ministerial code. He then immediately referred himself over the bullying allegations.
I have today appointed an independent adviser on the Ministerial Code - full written statement below: pic.twitter.com/7EZY8L2Mh5I have today appointed an independent adviser on the Ministerial Code - full written statement below: pic.twitter.com/7EZY8L2Mh5
Jones is already facing an independent inquiry into his handling of harassment allegations against Sargeant, following criticism from his grieving relatives.Jones is already facing an independent inquiry into his handling of harassment allegations against Sargeant, following criticism from his grieving relatives.
The 49-year-old was found dead at his home in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, earlier this month having apparently killed himself four days after being sacked as the cabinet secretary for communities and children. It is understood that Sargeant was facing harassment allegations from three women which he strongly denied.The 49-year-old was found dead at his home in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, earlier this month having apparently killed himself four days after being sacked as the cabinet secretary for communities and children. It is understood that Sargeant was facing harassment allegations from three women which he strongly denied.
Following his death former Labour minister Leighton Andrews claimed there had been “deliberate personal undermining of Sargeant from within the Welsh Labour government over several years”. Following his death, the former Labour minister Leighton Andrews claimed there had been “deliberate personal undermining of Sargeant from within the Welsh Labour government over several years”.
He said he made a complaint to the first minister about an aspect of this in the autumn of 2014.He said he made a complaint to the first minister about an aspect of this in the autumn of 2014.
The first minister’s former speical advisor Steve Jones also claimed that a “toxic” atmosphere of “fear and loathing” existed within the Welsh Labour government and claimed Sargeant was among those badly treated. The first minister’s former special advisor Steve Jones also claimed that a “toxic” atmosphere of “fear and loathing” existed within the Welsh Labour government and claimed Sargeant was among those badly treated.
Carwyn Jones has faced mounting criticism over the claims, what he knew of them – and what he said about them to a Tory assembly member in 2014. Carwyn Jones has faced mounting criticism over the claims – what he knew of them and what he said about them to a Tory assembly member in 2014.
Leighton Andrews welcomed Jones’s decision to refer himself, saying: “I hope the referral will not be too narrowly drawn. I will be ready to give evidence to the independent advisor on the complaint I made in 2014 and how this was handled.” Andrews welcomed Jones’s decision to refer himself, saying: “I hope the referral will not be too narrowly drawn. I will be ready to give evidence to the independent advisor on the complaint I made in 2014 and how this was handled.”
The Tory leader in Wales, Andrew RT Davies, said: “We welcome the appointment of an independent adviser to undertake the investigation into these serious allegations of bullying. The Tory leader in Wales, Andrew RT Davies, said: “We welcome the appointment of an independent adviser to undertake the investigation into these serious allegations of bullying. While these are positive steps, it remains vital that assembly members will have an opportunity to scrutinise the first minister over these allegations.”
“While these are positive steps, it remains vital that assembly members will have an opportunity to scrutinise the first minister over these allegations.
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “This is long overdue. It is regrettable that the Labour government has had to take this decision reactively instead of being proactive. The people of Wales will want absolute transparency from this process, and the Welsh government must ensure that it happens.”A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “This is long overdue. It is regrettable that the Labour government has had to take this decision reactively instead of being proactive. The people of Wales will want absolute transparency from this process, and the Welsh government must ensure that it happens.”
Meanwhile, Sargeant’s family have announced his funeral is to take place on Friday 1 December. Sargeant’s family have announced his funeral is to take place on Friday 1 December.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Carl’s son Jack Sargeant said: “We continue to be inundated with so many kind messages of support from across the UK. Messages that have not only given us strength over recent days – but messages that have left us in no doubt as to the extent dad was loved and respected by those who knew him.”Speaking on behalf of the family, Carl’s son Jack Sargeant said: “We continue to be inundated with so many kind messages of support from across the UK. Messages that have not only given us strength over recent days – but messages that have left us in no doubt as to the extent dad was loved and respected by those who knew him.”
He said the funeral would be a day of celebration, not mourning. “Everyone who knew dad will understand he wouldn’t want it any other way. He said the funeral would be a day of celebration, not mourning. “Everyone who knew dad will understand he wouldn’t want it any other way. We ask that there be no formal suits nor black worn on this day of celebration. We want people to wear something that makes them feel happy and to come and remember dad as he was – kind generous and the life and soul of the party.”
“We ask that there be no formal suits nor black worn on this day of celebration. We want people to wear something that makes them feel happy and to come and remember dad as he was – kind generous and the life and soul of the party.”