Meetings

The paper was noted.

NDM6573 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2, instructs the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister in these terms:

1. That a special meeting of the Committee should take place at the earliest opportunity to establish an inquiry into the allegations made by former members and advisers to the Welsh Government in relation to bullying, intimidation and the undermining of Ministers.

2. That the Committee should establish the following as part of its inquiry:

a) when allegations were made to the First Minister and/or his office;

b) how allegations were investigated;

c) what actions were taken as a result of any investigation;

d) the role of the First Minister and his office in dealing with these issues; and

e) the validity of the answers given by the First Minister to the National Assembly for Wales in relation to such allegations.

3. That the Committee should take evidence from witnesses as part of its work.

4. That the Committee should prepare a report of its findings to the Assembly by February half-term 2018.

Supporters:
Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales)

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2, instructs the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister to note:

1. The Welsh Government’s commitment to appoint a panel of independent advisers to provide a source of external independent advice on Ministerial conduct as required under the Ministerial Code as set out in a written statement issued on 23 November 2017;

2. That James Hamilton, a current independent adviser to the Scottish Government, has been appointed as an independent adviser to the Welsh Government; and

3. That the First Minister has referred himself to James Hamilton in relation to allegations, made in the last two weeks, that he breached the Ministerial Code; and

4. The final report of the independent adviser when published.

Written Statement
Ministerial Code – November 2017

The item started at 15.41

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6573 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2, instructs the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister in these terms:

1. That a special meeting of the Committee should take place at the earliest opportunity to establish an inquiry into the allegations made by former members and advisers to the Welsh Government in relation to bullying, intimidation and the undermining of Ministers.

2. That the Committee should establish the following as part of its inquiry:

a) when allegations were made to the First Minister and/or his office;

b) how allegations were investigated;

c) what actions were taken as a result of any investigation;

d) the role of the First Minister and his office in dealing with these issues; and

e) the validity of the answers given by the First Minister to the National Assembly for Wales in relation to such allegations.

3. That the Committee should take evidence from witnesses as part of its work.

4. That the Committee should prepare a report of its findings to the Assembly by February half-term 2018.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2, instructs the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister to note:

1. The Welsh Government’s commitment to appoint a panel of independent advisers to provide a source of external independent advice on Ministerial conduct as required under the Ministerial Code as set out in a written statement issued on 23 November 2017;

2. That James Hamilton, a current independent adviser to the Scottish Government, has been appointed as an independent adviser to the Welsh Government; and

3. That the First Minister has referred himself to James Hamilton in relation to allegations, made in the last two weeks, that he breached the Ministerial Code; and

4. The final report of the independent adviser when published.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6573 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2, instructs the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister to note:

1. The Welsh Government’s commitment to appoint a panel of independent advisers to provide a source of external independent advice on Ministerial conduct as required under the Ministerial Code as set out in a written statement issued on 23 November 2017;

2. That James Hamilton, a current independent adviser to the Scottish Government, has been appointed as an independent adviser to the Welsh Government; and

3. That the First Minister has referred himself to James Hamilton in relation to allegations, made in the last two weeks, that he breached the Ministerial Code; and

4. The final report of the independent adviser when published.

The motion as amended was agreed.