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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
(about 1 hour later)
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.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.
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.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".
Mr Davies has apologised. Mr Davies apologised to AMs.
But Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said the first minister's decision not to punish Mr Davies was "indefensible".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.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". Mr Davies, the Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, later made a personal statement to AMs.
"How can you admit that someone has broken the rules but then refuse to punish them? He said that he had intended to "promote the interests of my constituents as faithfully as possible".
"However, I recognise that ministers need to take special care in managing constituency interests and I regret that, on this occasion, I did not exercise sufficient care to maintain a clear perception of full separation of my ministerial role and my role as a constituency assembly member," he said.
"I note, however, that my comments had no influence on the final view of Natural Resources Wales, regarding the Circuit of Wales planning application."
The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams, has called the decision not to punish Mr Davies "indefensible".
She said: "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. Embarrassment
Mr Davies, the Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, will make a personal statement in the assembly chamber on Tuesday afternoon. It is understood opposition parties are discussing whether to force a vote of no confidence in Mr Davies.
A vote could be held next week.
Its results would not be binding but would be a further embarrassment to the Welsh government if it lost.
Labour has exactly half the seats in the assembly chamber, so the opposition would need to agree a common course and for a Labour member to rebel or fail to attend to have a chance of winning the vote.