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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 apologised to AMs.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". Liberal Democrats said the first minister's decision not to punish Mr Davies was "indefensible", Conservatives said the minister should do the "honourable thing" and resign and Plaid Cymru asked if Mr Jones would "simply rip up" the Ministerial Code.
The inquiry into whether the actions by Mr Davies had breached the Ministerial Code was undertaken by Permanent Secretary Sir Derek Jones. 'Integrity'
The inquiry into whether the actions by Mr Davies had breached the rule book for ministers 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.
According to Sir Derek's report, Mr Davies took advice from his own officials in March 2013 and was told he should not comment on the Circuit of Wales case "even in his AM capacity".
Although Sir Derek says this advice was "highly precautionary", he notes that "if followed (it) would protect the integrity of the process in a controversial case".
The report also reveals that the first minister's office got in touch with Mr Davies in August 2013 to express "surprise" that the minister was quoted in the Western Mail backing the Circuit of Wales.
Mr Davies was advised not to make further public comment without seeking advice from the first minister.
'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."
Mr Davies, the Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, later made a personal statement to AMs.Mr Davies, the Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, later made a personal statement to AMs.
He said that he had intended to "promote the interests of my constituents as faithfully as possible".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."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, called the decision not to punish Mr Davies "indefensible" .
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?"
She said: "How can you admit that someone has broken the rules but then refuse to punish them? Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies called on Mr Davies to resign.
"This begs the question of what even is the point of the Ministerial Code?" "If the first minister isn't prepared to remove the minister, then I think the minister should do the honourable thing and return to the back benches because the ministerial code has been broken," he said.
Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas asked Carwyn Jones why the minister "did not resign after trampling over the ministerial code, or you did not sack him?
"And if that is the case today, are you going to simply rip up the Ministerial Code, because it's not worth the paper it's printed on?"
EmbarrassmentEmbarrassment
It is understood opposition parties are discussing whether to force a vote of no confidence in Mr Davies.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.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. Its result 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.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.