From Peter Black’s Blog
Breaking News – First Minister apologises to Kirsty
The First Minister has written to the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams, to formally apologise for calling her a liar in his press conference yesterday. Rhodri Morgan had told the press that Kirsty was wrong to allege that civil servants had flown first class. It now emerges that he was misinformed. I am sure that this story will develop as the day goes on.
Update: the text of the letter from Rhodri Morgan to Kirsty Williams is as follows:
Yesterday at the weekly press lobby briefing, I stated, on the clear and explicit advice from the relevant senior officials that no officials from IBW (International Business Wales) had flown first class.
Today I have learned that this is not the case. I apologise for having misled you and the wider public.
I need hardly say how disturbed I am by this latest information now to hand. I am instructing the Permanent Secretary to undertake an immediate and thorough investigation and audit of IBW’s expenditure and audit systems. This review will be led from outside the Assembly Government. This will be in addition to, and quite separate from, the work which is being put in place to review our civil service expenses system and comparative exercise between IBW and other trade and investment bodies elsewhere in the UK.
We are now entering into recess, but I will write to you again by the end of July, in order that you and other members can be informed of progress.
Related posts:
