Facebook and Twitter: Welsh government civil servants warned over misuse

The Civil Service code has provisions for "honesty, political impartiality, objectivity and integrity".

Three Welsh government civil servants were given warnings in 2012 for misuse of social media, the BBC has learned.

One posted political comments on Facebook, another commented on government policy on Twitter, while a third commented on a consultation on a government Bill on Twitter.

The information was obtained in a Freedom of Information request.

A Welsh government spokesperson said staff are obliged to adhere to the civil service code.

In 2011, a Welsh government civil servant was given a warning following inappropriate comments on Facebook, while in 2010 another was warned after having posted "negative comments" on Facebook about a colleague using a personal computer.

A spokesperson said: "As members of the UK Civil Service, Welsh government staff are obliged to adhere to the Civil Service code, and the provisions in the code governing honesty, political impartiality, objectivity and integrity.

"We do not comment on specific staffing matters."

The use of social media is covered in the Welsh government's security policy which reminds staff that they should not engage in conduct that brings discredit on the institution, even outside working hours on their own computers.

About 5,000 civil servants are employed by the Welsh government.