Ex-aide claims 'pure poison' undermined ministers

A former aide to Carwyn Jones has claimed that ministers such as Carl Sargeant were "consistently undermined" in an atmosphere "of fear and loathing" that existed in the Welsh Government in the past.

The Welsh Government says it doesn't recognise the comments made by Steve Jones who was special adviser to the First Minister from 2009 to 2014.

His claims echo those made last week by the former minister Leighton Andrews who alleged that a "toxic" environment in the Welsh Government during the 2011-16 Assembly was "damaging" to the mental health of ministers such as Mr Sargeant.

Welsh Conservatives say there is "evidence building" which suggests Carwyn Jones has broken the ministerial code by allowing "a culture of bullying and intimidation to fester."

Steve Jones says that, despite being used to the "rough and tumble of politics" after working for Government whips in Westminster, he found the behaviour of some at the top of the Welsh Government was "pure poison" and like nothing he'd "ever seen before".

It is understood the allegations aren't aimed at current senior advisers or staff.

He says that the situation improved for a few months after he warned the First Minister and said that he wanted to resign, but "the poison returned".

Amongst the claims he makes are that ministers "seen as a threat" were undermined and "frequently the the subject of malicious rumours and concerted smear campaigns". He says that they'd have their diaries "unreasonably monitored and questioned," policy proposals shelved and direct access to the First Minister blocked.

You can read the full statement by Steve Jones and criticism of the First Minister by Welsh Conservatives below.

Mr Sargeant's death less than a week ago has led to a full political crisis for the Welsh Government and demands for answers from political allies and opponents alike.

Last week the First Minister resisted pressure to resign but agreed to calls for an independent inquiry into his actions and decisions in relation to Carl Sargeant, although there are still questions about the nature and timing of that inquiry.

The Welsh Government's Permanent Secretary has been asked to begin the preliminary work of finding a QC to lead the inquiry. I understand that the Sargeant family has accepted that it will be technically and legally a Welsh Government inquiry but would prefer a senior civil servant from Whitehall to be drafted in to oversee its setting up.

There is no official comment on that but Welsh Government sources insist that there should be no question about the impartiality of the civil service including the Permanent Secretary.

A further question is when the inquiry begins. Last week's statement said that "it is our understanding that such an inquiry should not take place before the outcome of a Coroner’s Inquest – but we will take further advice on this matter."

That inquest opens today but legal advice given to the Sargeant family suggests an inquiry into the wider issues surrounding the former minister's death can run at the same time which means the work to set it up could begin as soon as this week.

It should also become clear this week what will happen to the Labour party inquiry into the allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against Mr Sargeant.

The Labour AM Mike Hedges told BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement programme that that internal inquiry couldn't continue because of Mr Sargeant's death. Cerys Furlong, of the equality at work charity Chwarae Teg told the same programme that there should be a way of reviewing the wider issue of sexual harassment in politics.

In a separate development, Leanne Wood issued a formal apology to anyone who has complained to Plaid Cymru in the past [about harassment] and didn’t have appropriate or sufficient action taken.

In a post on the Nation website she said that, "people in all political parties have been guilty to turning a blind eye this damaging culture where inappropriate words or behaviour can go unchecked and unchallenged. We have become desensitised to it."

This is the full statement by Steve Jones:

'The questions are stacking up for Carwyn Jones'

Here is the full response from the Welsh Conservatives: