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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Environment Minister Alun Davies sacked from Welsh government | Environment Minister Alun Davies sacked from Welsh government |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Environment Minister Alun Davies has been sacked from the Welsh government for "unacceptable" behaviour. | Environment Minister Alun Davies has been sacked from the Welsh government for "unacceptable" behaviour. |
| Mr Davies asked civil servants to give him private financial information about senior opposition AMs. | Mr Davies asked civil servants to give him private financial information about senior opposition AMs. |
| He was told by his staff that the information was not publicly available, but asked again for it to be provided. | He was told by his staff that the information was not publicly available, but asked again for it to be provided. |
| First Minister Carwyn Jones said the actions were "poorly judged" and "inappropriate", opposition parties called the behaviour "disgraceful". | First Minister Carwyn Jones said the actions were "poorly judged" and "inappropriate", opposition parties called the behaviour "disgraceful". |
| They accused Mr Davies of launching a "smear campaign" against political opponents and called for him to removed from his position as an AM. | |
| In a statement Mr Davies said: "I'm remaining absolutely focused on Blaenau Gwent. As I said when I was elected, Blaenau Gwent comes first, second and third." | |
| He told BBC Wales he intended to attend Tuesday afternoon's plenary session in the Senedd as normal. | |
| The Welsh government said an existing minister would present the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which Mr Davies had been been due to give a statement to AMs on in his former role as Environment Minister. | |
| His portfolio is expected to be shared among existing cabinet members, rather than a direct replacement being appointed. | His portfolio is expected to be shared among existing cabinet members, rather than a direct replacement being appointed. |
| Mr Davies was sacked after it emerged he had asked for details of farm subsidies paid to opposition AMs, including Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies and Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams. | |
| He also asked for information on payments to the Conservative AM Antoinette Sandbach, Liberal Democrat William Powell and Plaid Cymru's Llyr Gruffydd. | He also asked for information on payments to the Conservative AM Antoinette Sandbach, Liberal Democrat William Powell and Plaid Cymru's Llyr Gruffydd. |
| 'Payments' | 'Payments' |
| The first minister said in a statement on Tuesday that "communications" between Mr Davies and his civil servants had been brought to his attention. | The first minister said in a statement on Tuesday that "communications" between Mr Davies and his civil servants had been brought to his attention. |
| "The e-mails indicate that the minister asked the civil service to give him private information about the financial interests of a number of members of this chamber," he said. | "The e-mails indicate that the minister asked the civil service to give him private information about the financial interests of a number of members of this chamber," he said. |
| "These relate to CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) payments made to these individuals." | "These relate to CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) payments made to these individuals." |
| The requests, Mr Jones said, were "poorly judged, inappropriate and the fact that they were made at all is unacceptable to me as first minister". | The requests, Mr Jones said, were "poorly judged, inappropriate and the fact that they were made at all is unacceptable to me as first minister". |
| "As a result, I have asked the minister for natural resources and food to leave the government. | "As a result, I have asked the minister for natural resources and food to leave the government. |
| "I made this decision with some regret and would like to record my appreciation for the contribution that Alun Davies has undoubtedly made to the work of the government during his time in office." | "I made this decision with some regret and would like to record my appreciation for the contribution that Alun Davies has undoubtedly made to the work of the government during his time in office." |
| The Blaenau Gwent AM apologised in the Senedd last week over a separate row in which he was judged to have broken the Ministerial Code while lobbying for a race track to be built in his constituency. | The Blaenau Gwent AM apologised in the Senedd last week over a separate row in which he was judged to have broken the Ministerial Code while lobbying for a race track to be built in his constituency. |
| Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said the sacking was "inevitable" and "questions must also be raised about his continuing role as an assembly member". | |
| He added: "This, effectively, is gross misconduct, and we have today written to the standards commissioner, making the case that this person may not be a fit and proper person to hold elected office." | |
| Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty William called Mr Davies's actions "atrocious" and "completely unacceptable for anyone serving in public office". | |
| "The fact that Alun Davies used his ministerial office to start a smear campaign against those that dared to hold him to account is disgraceful," she added. | |
| Mr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru's agriculture spokesman, said: "The public places great trust in our elected cabinet members and it is clear that Alun Davies played fast and loose with that trust. | |
| He added: "Had Alun Davies had the courtesy to ask me in person if I received the single farm payment I would have answered him directly that I do not." |