Fresh claims First Minister Carwyn Jones misled assembly over bullying

Carwyn Jones has referred himself to an inquiry into what he has said about 2014 bullying claims

The first minister is facing fresh allegations he misled the assembly over what he knew about bullying in the Welsh Government.

Carwyn Jones had told the assembly there was no record of a complaint by a minister about the treatment of special advisers back in 2014.

But Plaid Cymru AM Adam Price claims an email has emerged raising concerns.

The Welsh Government said what Mr Jones had said was "accurate".

Mr Jones has repeatedly denied concerns were raised with him about bullying.

The first minister has already referred himself to an independent inquiry into claims of bullying in the Welsh Government dating back to 2014.

• Bullying and toxicity' in Welsh Government

• Carywn Jones says there is no specific bullying accusation

• More questions on bullying for Jones

The bullying claims emerged following the death of former Labour minister Carl Sargeant.

Mr Price has written to the first minister asking him to again refer himself to an independent investigation over what he knew about bullying in the Welsh Government.

In a letter, seen by BBC Wales, Mr Price points to a question he asked the first minister in December, asking if then minister Leighton Andrews had complained about the treatment of special advisors.

Bullying claims emerged after the death of former communities secretary Carl Sargeant in 2017

Mr Jones responded later that month, saying: "There is no record and I have no recollection of such a complaint."

An email from 2014 shows Mr Andrews was unhappy that his advisors were not permitted to accompany him to meetings in London.

"I don't recall any questions being raised when (name redacted) or (name redacted) accompanied me to meetings in London when I was previously in the Cabinet. Has there been a change of policy? I would be very concerned if I thought that (name redacted) was being treated differently from other special advisers," it reads.

Mr Andrews, who has been a vocal critic of Mr Jones since the death of Mr Sargeant, has accused the first minister of misleading the assembly in December "on several occasions".

The Welsh Government said the first minister's response to questions were "accurate".