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Alun Davies breached code by lobbying but will not be sacked Alun Davies breached code by lobbying but will not be sacked
(35 minutes later)
The lobbying for a race circuit by Wales' environment minister breached the Ministerial Code but he will not be sacked, said the first minister. The lobbying for a race circuit by Wales' Environment Minister Alun Davies broke guidelines over how ministers should act - but he will not be sacked.
Alun Davies had lobbied the environment watchdog Natural Resources Wales over plans for a race track near Ebbw Vale. Mr Davies had lobbied environment watchdog Natural Resources Wales over plans for the circuit near Ebbw Vale which is in the Blaenau Gwent constituency he represents as an AM.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said it was "clear" the code had been breached but that the issues were "not clear cut".First Minister Carwyn Jones said it was "clear" the code had been breached but that the issues were "not clear cut".
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said the first minister's decision was "indefensible". Mr Davies has apologised.
The inquiry into Mr Davies's actions was undertaken by Permanent Secretary Sir Derek Jones. But Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said the first minister's decision not to punish Mr Davies was "indefensible".
The inquiry into whether the actions by Mr Davies had breached the Ministerial Code was undertaken by Permanent Secretary Sir Derek Jones.
It looked at whether a letter he wrote to NRW "conflicted" with his ministerial role, which includes oversight of the body.It looked at whether a letter he 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.NRW initially objected to the £280m Circuit of Wales scheme but later said its concerns had been addressed.
'Not influenced''Not influenced'
In a statement on Tuesday, the first minister 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".In a statement on Tuesday, the first minister 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.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.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.""I have addressed this issue with the minister directly and he has apologised to me."
But the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Kirsty Williams said the decision not to punish Mr Davies was "indefensible".But the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Kirsty Williams said the decision not to punish Mr Davies was "indefensible".
"How can you admit that someone has broken the rules but then refuse to punish them?"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?""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."The first minister dithered on his decision and has now completely failed in his duty to hold his minister to account," she added.
Mr Davies, the Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, will make a personal statement in the assembly chamber on Tuesday afternoon.Mr Davies, the Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, will make a personal statement in the assembly chamber on Tuesday afternoon.