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Davies breached code but will not be sacked, says Jones Davies breached code but will not be sacked, says Jones
(35 minutes later)
Environment Minister Alun Davies breached the Ministerial Code but will not be sacked, the first minister has said. Environment Minister Alun Davies breached the Ministerial Code but will not be sacked, said the first minister.
Carwyn Jones said it was "clear" the Ministerial Code had been breached but that the issues were "not clear cut". Carwyn Jones said it was "clear" the code had been breached but that the issues were "not clear cut".
Mr Davies wrote to the environment watchdog over plans for a race track near Ebbw Vale, in his constituency. Mr Davies lobbied the environment watchdog Natural Resources Wales over plans for a race track near Ebbw Vale, in his constituency.
Permanent Secretary Sir Derek Jones was asked to investigate the action of Mr Davies's actions. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said the first minister's decision was "indefensible".
Permanent Secretary Sir Derek Jones was asked to investigate Mr Davies's actions.
The investigation looked at whether a letter her wrote to NRW "conflicted" with his ministerial role, which includes oversight of the body.
NRW initially objected to the £280m Circuit of Wales scheme but later said its concerns had been addressed.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Jones said managing the responsibilities of being a minister and an AM was a "constant challenge", adding "it is clear to me that the Ministerial Code was breached".
Despite saying Mr Davies had not "exercised sufficient care", Mr Jones said the decision on whether the Circuit of Wales should go ahead was not part of the environment minister's portfolio.
The first minister added: "Natural Resources Wales have been clear that their views were not altered or influenced as a result of the minister's engagement as a constituency assembly member.
"I have addressed this issue with the minister directly and he has apologised to me."
Mr Davies, the Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, will be making a personal statement in the assembly chamber on Tuesday afternoon.
'Dithered'
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said Mr Jones's decision was "indefensible".
"How can you admit that someone has broken the rules but then refuse to punish them?
"This begs the question of what even is the point of the Ministerial Code?"
"The first minister dithered on his decision and has now completely failed in his duty to hold his minister to account," she added.