The Welsh Conservative leader has called on the First Minister to “get tough” on bullying by following the example of the Prime Minister in updating the Ministerial Code.
Theresa May has published a newly updated UK Government Ministerial Code, which now includes a section on ‘harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or discriminating behaviour’.
No such section exists in the Welsh Government ministerial code and this has particular significance in Wales given the recent scandal which has involved the First Minister and his office after allegations put forward by his former cabinet minister, Leighton Andrews, and his special adviser, Steve Jones.
The scandal took a new twist last week, with fresh bullying allegations from a former senior NHS boss, who accused Labour Ministers of overseeing a Welsh NHS with a culture of 'entitlement, gagging, bullying and unfairness'.
Andrew RT Davies said:
“The recent scandals to have engulfed Carwyn Jones have shown that the ministerial code he has overseen during his eight-year tenure is not fit for purpose.
“There should be absolutely no place in politics for harassment, bullying or discriminating behaviour and the First Minister needs to send that signal loud and clear.
“If Carwyn Jones really wants to get tough on bullying then he should follow the Prime Minister’s lead in updating the Ministerial Code so that he and his cabinet colleagues are operating within clear parameters of acceptable behaviour.”
Notes to editors:
Latest copy of the UK Government’s Ministerial Code can be found here.
The Welsh Government’s Ministerial Code can be accessed here.