Conservative Senedd member for Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan Andrew RT Davies has called for a loophole which prevents Welsh Government ministers being investigated by the Senedd’s Standards Committee to be closed.
Complaints relating to a member’s behaviour in cases where they are acting exclusively in their role as a minister are currently a matter for the Welsh Government.
This means neither the Senedd’s Commissioner for Standards nor its Standards of Conduct Committee can investigate them.
Speaking in the Senedd, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and Constitution Dafydd Trystan Davies said, “in line with our commitment to openness and transparency, we will align our practices as a Government with those of the Senedd, as we should do.”
Andrew RT Davies said this could only be delivered by bringing ministers’ conduct under the governance of the Senedd’s Standards Committee.
He has written to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, asking him to outline the steps the new Plaid Cymru administration is taking to deliver this.
Mr Davies said:
“These comments are welcome, but the only way to deliver their objectives is to bring ministers’ conduct under the governance of the Senedd’s standards regime.
“The existing loophole allows ministers to avoid accountability.
“To deliver the change they promised, Plaid Cymru separatists must ensure it’s closed.”
ENDS
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