Welsh Conservative response to Permanent Secretary's refusal to publish leak inquiry report
The Welsh Government has today refused to publish the leak inquiry report, despite a resolution from the National Assembly for Wales calling on them to do so.
In a letter to Assembly Members (attached), the Permanent Secretary, Dame Shan Morgan, states she feels it would be ‘inappropriate to release the report itself, either in full or in a redacted form’.
Commenting, Andrew RT Davies, said:
“This is simply unacceptable and bitterly disappointing.
“The will of the National Assembly was clear and the excuses for not publishing the report are at best weak, and at worst plain obstructive.
“The conclusion of the Chief Security Officer that is referenced in this letter once again invites more speculation that someone from within the First Minister’s office was authorised to leak information about the Cabinet reshuffle to a third party.
“The longer this façade continues the more damaging it is for the Welsh Government, and our democratic processes cannot continue to be marred by persistent stonewalling, particularly when matters of significant public interest are at stake.
“If there is nothing to hide then there is no reason why a redacted version of the report cannot be published. We will now consider all available options to ensure the will of the National Assembly for Wales is respected.”
