CONCERNS have been raised over the way reports of bullying and harassment within the Welsh Assembly are addressed.

Earlier this month, in the midst of a sexual harassment scandal engulfing Parliament, it emerged accusations had been levelled against then-communities and children secretary Carl Sargeant around his conduct with women.

He died last week, just four days after being sacked from the Welsh Government cabinet.

Since his death, a number of claims have been made around bullying and harassment within the cabinet and the wider Assembly by former AMs and staff members.

And, speaking in the Senedd this week, leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said he was worried by reports that concerns had been raised with the first minister’s office but had not been acted on, saying the people raising the issues “believed that they weren't being taken seriously”.

Addressing Carwyn Jones he said: “How can people have confidence that, if they do choose to raise these serious concerns with you, that they will be taken seriously?”

The first minister replied: “It's hugely important that, where people have concerns, they're able to express those concerns through a confidential process.

“I don't think doing it in the public domain is the way to do these things, and I invite people to come forward with any concerns that they might have and contact my office or contact the permanent secretary so that I can make an assessment of what was said to be happening at that time.”

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood suggested a body independent of the Welsh Assembly may be better equipped to receive and deal with concerns in an impartial, transparent manner than political parties.

“We know that sexual harassment occurs elsewhere in politics and in other industries as well,” she said.

“In fact, we can say that it exists in almost every walk of life.

“It remains a problem experienced by many people, not exclusively, but mainly, women, and it remains an issue that needs to be tackled.

“One point we need to consider, all of us, I think, is how we can create the conditions and the culture for those who have experienced sexual harassment to be able to make disclosures safely in the future.”

Mr Jones replied it was an issue that would take all parties working together to resolve.

“We have to create a situation where complainants don't feel they're not able to come forward,” he said.

He added: “There are many questions, I think, that will be asked.

“The leader of Plaid Cymru is absolutely right to say that there are bound to be questions.

“I accept that, and those are questions that people want the answers to, and I accept that as well.

“I think, as political parties, we just need to see whether there is a way of changing the way that the Assembly deals with these issues and those are conversations we may well need to have over the next few weeks.”