Welsh farm minister breached government code

Wales’ farm minister is to keep his job even though he breached ministerial guidelines relating to a £280m motorsport circuit planned for his constituency.

Alun Davies had been under investigation after he lobbied Wales’ environmental body, Natural Resources Wales. He had asked it to reconsider its opposition to the controversial race track in his Blaenau Gwent constituency.

First minister Carwyn Jones ordered an investigation into “the perception of a conflict of interest” between the minister’s role and constituency interests.

Mr Jones said it was clear from that investigation that the ministerial code had been breached but expressed sympathy for the circumstances that led to this.

“Managing the potential for conflict between ministerial responsibility and constituency interests represents a permanent challenge for all of us in government,” he said.

“In some cases the issues are not clear cut and careful lines must be drawn.”

The fact that Natural Resources Wales says its views were not “altered or influenced” by Mr Davies’ intervention seems to be a reason for why no further action is being taken.

“When farmers break the rules they are penalised and can lose their single farm payments. Clearly it’s a different rule for government ministers who break the rules and then can carry on regardless.”
Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru

“I have addressed this issue with the minister directly and he has apologised to me,” said Mr Jones.

In a personal statement to assembly members (AM), Mr Davies, said he regretted that he had not taken “sufficient care” to separate his ministerial position from his and constituency AM role.

Mr Davies had no doubt hoped to draw a line under this episode but opposition parties are keeping up the pressure by attempting to force a debate on the issue.

Plaid Cymru shadow minister for sustainable communities, energy and food, Llyr Gruffydd, said he was “dismayed” that the minister had not been “properly sanctioned”.

“When farmers break the rules they are penalised and can lose their single farm payments. Clearly it’s a different rule for government ministers who break the rules and then can carry on regardless,” he said.