Welsh farm minister Alun Davies sacked over CAP emails

Wales’ farm minister has been fired after requesting information on farm subsidies paid to opposition politicians.

Just a week ago, Alun Davies was spared the sack after breaching ministerial guidelines concerning a £280m motorsport circuit earmarked for his constituency.

But first minister Carwyn Jones has been less forgiving about his farm minister’s latest actions.

Read also: Welsh farm minister breached government code

It emerged Mr Davies had asked civil servants to provide information on farm subsidies paid to opposition AMs even though those details were not in the public domain.

He persisted with his request when told by his staff that the information was not publicly available.

The first minister described these actions as “poorly judged” and “inappropriate”.

“The fact that they were made at all is unacceptable to me as first minister,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday (8 July).

“The emails 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. These relate to CAP payments made to these individuals.

“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.”

A new environment minister will be appointed later on Tuesday (8 July).

Stephen James, NFU Cymru president, admitted that the union had a particularly difficult relationship with Mr Davies.

“His decision, last December, to transfer 15% from Pillar 1 to Rural Development Plan Wales measures was particularly galling. News of his sacking comes however at a crucial time with the vitally important decision on how this money is now to be deployed. Therefore, the timing of this announcement is particularly critical.

“We await news of who will replace Alun Davies. We will of course seek to meet the new minister as soon as possible with a view to developing a closer working relationship for the good of the industry.”