Bullying probe at Welsh Government not enough - Tory leader

An independent inquiry into accusations of bullying in the Welsh Government does not go far enough, the Welsh Conservative leader has said.

First Minister Carwyn Jones has referred himself to an independent inquiry into claims of bullying in the cabinet dating back to 2014.

But Andrew RT Davies said there were "wider issues" and the assembly should launch its own investigation.

Counsel General Jeremy Miles said Mr Jones' actions were "appropriate".

Claims of bullying in the previous Welsh Government have been made by former public services minister Leighton Andrews and Steve Jones, an ex-media adviser to the first minister.

They came forward following the death of sacked minister Carl Sargeant, who the two men claimed had been one of the ministers targeted in a "toxic" atmosphere.

Welsh Labour leader Mr Jones is facing questions over an alleged discrepancy between an answer he gave in 2014 that no allegations of bullying had been made and one last week that said issues at the time had been "dealt with".

On Thursday he referred himself to an independent investigation, which will be private but the findings will be made public.

Speaking on BBC Wales' Sunday Politics, Mr Davies said he did not think the inquiry into the bullying claims would give the answers needed.

He accused the first minister of deciding on a very narrow inquiry which only looks at his conduct over the past two weeks, adding Mr Andrews' claims about the culture in the government needed to be explored.

On Wednesday, Mr Jones faces a vote in the Senedd on a bid by opposition parties to make him answer questions in front of a panel of senior AMs.

The Welsh Conservative leader said the scrutiny of the first minister committee - made up of the heads of other assembly committees - should launch its own public inquiry.

"I just don't think it's that unreasonable and, importantly, if there is a hint that these type of activities are continuing within the Welsh Government, that committee would make recommendations to the assembly to make sure it doesn't continue," he said.

"Surely that's what we stand for in public life is to get to the truth for the people of Wales."

Jeremy Miles, who as counsel general is the Welsh Government's main legal advisor, said Mr Jones was right to decide an independent advisor should carry out the investigation.

He said Mr Jones had looked at the different calls from opposition parties, but he decided the independent investigation was the "more appropriate" choice.