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Environment Minister Alun Davies sacked from Welsh government Environment Minister Alun Davies sacked from Welsh government
(about 2 hours later)
First Minister Carwyn Jones has sacked his Environment Minister Alun Davies and will not appoint a replacement.First Minister Carwyn Jones has sacked his Environment Minister Alun Davies and will not appoint a replacement.
Mr Davies was dismissed for putting pressure on civil servants for private information about opposition AMs.Mr Davies was dismissed for putting pressure on civil servants for private information about opposition AMs.
He was already under scrutiny over his handling of plans for a racing circuit in his Blaenau Gwent constituency.He was already under scrutiny over his handling of plans for a racing circuit in his Blaenau Gwent constituency.
Tory AM Antoinette Sandbach - among those Mr Davies had sought private information on - described the handling of the issue as "scandalous". Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies says he has written to the Standards Commissioner about Alun Davies's behaviour.
Meanwhile, Tory AM Antoinette Sandbach - among those Mr Davies had sought private information on - described the handling of the issue as "scandalous".
His portfolio has now been divided up between three other ministers, and there are no plans to appoint another dedicated minister to his former role.His portfolio has now been divided up between three other ministers, and there are no plans to appoint another dedicated minister to his former role.
Mr Davies had been told by his staff that the information he had requested on five AMs was not publicly available.Mr Davies had been told by his staff that the information he had requested on five AMs was not publicly available.
Despite this, he put pressure on them by asking again for it to be provided.Despite this, he put pressure on them by asking again for it to be provided.
During a heated exchange in the Senedd, First Minister Carwyn Jones said the actions were "poorly judged" and "inappropriate".During a heated exchange in the Senedd, First Minister Carwyn Jones said the actions were "poorly judged" and "inappropriate".
Opposition parties branded the minister's behaviour "disgraceful".Opposition parties branded the minister's behaviour "disgraceful".
They accused Mr Davies of launching a "smear campaign" against political opponents and called for him to be removed from his position as an AM.They accused Mr Davies of launching a "smear campaign" against political opponents and called for him to be removed from his position as an AM.
Mr Jones told AMs it was "quite wrong" that Mr Davies had made the information request.Mr Jones told AMs it was "quite wrong" that Mr Davies had made the information request.
But he rejected claims that the controversy had raised questions about his own judgement.But he rejected claims that the controversy had raised questions about his own judgement.
Mr Jones said his decision showed that 'the system works' and that the issue would not have come to light had the Welsh government not made it public.Mr Jones said his decision showed that 'the system works' and that the issue would not have come to light had the Welsh government not made it public.
Mr Davies previous ministerial duties have been divided between other ministers.Mr Davies previous ministerial duties have been divided between other ministers.
Economy and Transport Minister Edwina Hart will look after agriculture, fisheries and food, Sport and Culture Minister John Griffiths has had environment added to his portfolio and Rebecca Evans is promoted from the backbenches to become deputy minister for agriculture and fisheries.Economy and Transport Minister Edwina Hart will look after agriculture, fisheries and food, Sport and Culture Minister John Griffiths has had environment added to his portfolio and Rebecca Evans is promoted from the backbenches to become deputy minister for agriculture and fisheries.
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies called for an independent inquiry to examine whether such practice existed elsewhere in the Welsh government. Andrew RT Davies called for an independent inquiry to examine whether such practice existed elsewhere in the Welsh government.
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said an independent adjudicator should look at alleged breaks in the ministerial code, saying it was wrong for the first minister "to act as judge and jury" on such matters .Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said an independent adjudicator should look at alleged breaks in the ministerial code, saying it was wrong for the first minister "to act as judge and jury" on such matters .
Responding to his dismissal 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."Responding to his dismissal 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."
Mr Davies, 51, 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.Mr Davies, 51, 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.
Only last week, the Blaenau Gwent AM apologised in the Senedd 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.Only last week, the Blaenau Gwent AM apologised in the Senedd 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 questioned Mr Davies' future as an AM. Andrew RT Davies questioned Mr Davies' future as an AM.
"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," he said."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," he said.
He told BBC Radio Wales: "The first minister obviously had the opportunity to remove this minister last week. He didn't.
"He made the wrong call.
"This is a judgement call and ultimately I believe the only way we can get confidence back in the ministerial code is to remove the first minister from the ministerial code and have an independent arbitrator, which most people would say is fair and reasonable in a political environment."
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty William called Mr Davies's actions "atrocious" and "completely unacceptable for anyone serving in public 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."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.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."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."
Alun Davies first tried to be elected to a Westminster seat in 1992, standing for Plaid Cymru in Blaenau Gwent, the seat he now represents as an AM.Alun Davies first tried to be elected to a Westminster seat in 1992, standing for Plaid Cymru in Blaenau Gwent, the seat he now represents as an AM.
He has previously been a lobbyist and a spokesman for the UK Atomic Energy Authority and S4C.He has previously been a lobbyist and a spokesman for the UK Atomic Energy Authority and S4C.
Elected to the assembly as a Mid and West Wales regional AM in 2007, he late gave up that seat to win back Blaenau Gwent for Labour.Elected to the assembly as a Mid and West Wales regional AM in 2007, he late gave up that seat to win back Blaenau Gwent for Labour.
Mr Davies backed Carwyn Jones for the Labour leadership and joined the cabinet as natural resources minister in March last year.Mr Davies backed Carwyn Jones for the Labour leadership and joined the cabinet as natural resources minister in March last year.