First Minister “asking and answering the questions” bad for Welsh democracy – Llyr Gruffydd

Plaid Cymru’s Llyr Gruffydd AM is today making the case for the convening of a special session of the Scrutiny of the First Minister Committee in order for the First Minister to answer questions on the inquiry into leaking of information surrounding the latest Welsh Government reshuffle.

His call comes ahead of an Assembly debate on a joint motion by Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives calling for the publication of the report including the findings of the reshuffle leak inquiry. The motion proposes that the report should be redacted where appropriate in order to conceal identities.

Llyr Gruffydd AM said that at present the First Minister was “asking and answering the questions” and that this was detrimental to Welsh democracy. He said that a special session of the Scrutiny of the First Minister Committee would go some way to securing the transparency and accountability that has been missing from the process so far.

Plaid Cymru’s Llyr Gruffydd AM said: “Today’s debate motion sets out an important principle that the findings of the reshuffle leak inquiry are a matter of public interest and should therefore be released with appropriate redactions.

“Plaid Cymru has argued all along for maximum transparency and accountability when it comes to dealing with any allegations made against members of the Assembly or Government.

“In the absence of the Welsh Government supporting the publication of the report, a special session of the Scrutiny of the First Minister Committee should be held at the earliest possible opportunity.

“It is bad news for Welsh democracy that the First Minister is allowed to both ask and answer the questions – if he has nothing to hide he should have nothing to fear.

“It is the First Minister and his office who face investigation here. They should not be allowed to be the investigators too.

“I hope that this proposal will attract support from across the Assembly in the interest of restoring the integrity of our democratic institution.”