AN INVESTIGATION has dismissed accusations first minister Carwyn Jones mislead the Welsh Assembly around claims of bullying which arose following the death of former minister Carl Sargeant.

A number of allegations of bullying within the Welsh Government cabinet arose following the death of the former minister in November last year.

The investigation by the Scottish Government's independent advisor James Hamilton was launched following concerns a statement by the the first minister in November 2014 that “no allegations” of bullying had been received contradicted with another in November last year in which he said “any issues that were brought to my attention at that time were dealt with”.

And now Mr Hamilton has released his report, in which he says: “The first minister on November 11, 2014, and November 14, 2017, to the questions tabled during Welsh Assembly questions were accurate and truthful and not misleading, and did not breach the Ministerial Code.”

The report details how, in Autumn 2014, Mr Sargeant and ministerial colleagues Leighton Andrews and Lesley Griffiths “were concerned about aspects of the behaviour of a politically appointed special/specialist adviser”. But he found no complaints were made.

Mr Hamilton also said he “did not find convincing evidence” to support claims by Mr Andrews of a “toxic atmosphere” or “bullying culture” in the cabinet.

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said: “We welcome the release of Mr Hamilton’s report which sets an important precedent, particularly in light of the ongoing threat of legal action by the first minister, Carwyn Jones, to prevent publication of a similar report produced at the conclusion of the recent leak inquiry.

“Any continuation to frustrate its publication can only lead to more unhelpful speculation regarding the process and its contents and we would now expect the Welsh Labour Government to publish the leak inquiry report without delay.”