WELSH First Minister Carwyn Jones has called in an adviser to the Scottish Government to investigate claims he breached the ministerial code.
Mr Jones is battling allegations he misled members of the Welsh Assembly about what he knew about allegations of bullying in 2014 made by a former minister and an ex-special advisor.
Claims of bullying have been made by former public services minister Leighton Andrews and Steve Jones, an ex-media adviser to the first minister.
They came forward following the death of sacked minister Carl Sargeant, who the two men claimed had been one of the ministers targeted in a "toxic" atmosphere.
Mr Jones has asked to James Hamilton, an Independent Adviser to Scottish Government, to carry out a probe into the affair.
The Welsh Labour leader also decided to create a new system to police the ministerial code.
In a statement, he said: “I have agreed with James Hamilton, a current Independent Adviser to the Scottish Government to accept an immediate referral from me in relation to allegations made in the last two weeks that I breached the Ministerial Code.”
“The Ministerial Code sets out the First Minister’s expectations for standards of Ministerial behaviour and personal conduct – the Code also applies to the First Minister.
"Until now this has meant that there was no opportunity for independent assessment of significant concerns raised in relation to the First Minster’s adherence to the Ministerial Code apart from the Assembly’s own scrutiny and standards arrangements and the normal electoral process.
“I have listened to those who have called for an independent referral process to be available in circumstances where it is felt the First Minister requires a source of external and independent advice. As such, the Ministerial Code has been amended to allow for such referrals to be made to an Independent Adviser where he deems it necessary."
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