A NUMBER of Gwent’s AMs have been elected to lead committees in the new Welsh Assembly.

Newport East’s John Griffiths will lead the equality, local government and communities committee, while his Labour colleague Jayne Bryant, who was only elected to the Assembly as Newport West AM for the first time last month, will head the standards of conduct committee.

Ukip’s Mark Reckless, who represents South Wales East, has been appointed chairman of the climate change, environment and rural affairs committee.

His appointment has been criticised by some, who have pointed to Ukip’s record of climate change denial.

Meanwhile, Torfaen’s Labour AM Lynne Neagle will lead the children, young people and education committee, with Monmouth’s Nick Ramsay, the only Conservative AM in Gwent has been made chairman of the public accounts committee.

Among the committees’ responsibilities are scrutinising new legislation proposed by AMs and addressing issues faced by the people of Wales.

The roles were elected by secret ballot for the first time. New presiding officer Elin Jones said this would ensure all AMs were treated equally.

“I believe the system provides for a more open and transparent committee system that is more accountable to the Assembly as a whole as all AMs now have a say on who the chairs should be,” she said.

“I am pleased that members supported the move and I wish all chairs the very best as they embark on their work in scrutinising legislation and holding the Welsh Government to account.”