Transparency International UK have today called for an independent investigation into the facts surrounding the ongoing confusion relating to the dismissal of Hannah Blythyn, and the source of leaked iMessage messages relevant to the Covid Inquiry. 

The call comes as members of the Senedd last week heard conflicting accounts of the identification of the source of a leaked iMessage from a group of Welsh Ministers during the Covid pandemic, and the subsequent circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Hannah Blythyn from her Ministerial post.  

This follows a recent Vote of No Confidence in the First Minister following a series of scandals that have called his integrity into question.   

Transparency International UK has previously expressed reservations about the size of and potential conflicts of interest around the donations Vaughan Gething received in support of his campaigns to lead Welsh Labour. 

Juliet Swann, Nations and Regions Programme Manager said:  

“The confusion in Wales demonstrates the weakness of the current iterations of Ministerial Codes of Conduct across the UK. To be truly effective such codes need to be coupled with independent powers to investigate breaches and enforce sanctions.  

“This is as necessary in the devolved institutions as it is at Westminster.  

“As the fallout from the iMessage leak continues to undermine trust in Welsh government, significant concerns remain as to whether the First Minister’s behaviour conforms to the Ministerial Code of Conduct. 

“To ensure a robust assessment of whether ministerial standards of integrity are being followed, Vaughan Gething should appoint an independent advisor to provide much-needed clarity over whether rules have been broken.”  

To take this step would follow the precedent of Carwyn Jones being investigated by James Hamilton, an independent adviser to the Scottish Ministerial Code [1].  

Swann concluded:  

“The ongoing tumult caused by these issues is bringing Welsh politics into disrepute and undermining public trust in the Senedd and the Welsh government. A self-referral from Mr Gething can address these issues and help restore that trust.” 

ENDS

Notes to editors

{1] www.gov.wales/update-independent-adviser-ministerial-code