Vaughan Gething ‘regrets’ anxieties over donations

The first minister said that he had “considered carefully the range of views expressed by colleagues in recent weeks” and “given thought to the best route to developing considered reforms that can have a lasting impact”.

In his letter, he suggests the committee consider rules on the “level of reporting and disclosure” and “whether there should be a cap on donations from any one entity or individual”.

Mr Gething said he will also ask a senior civil servant to “consider recommendations on how to strengthen public confidence regarding any potential conflicts of interest where a Member of the Senedd is also a member of the government”.

He said he would like to work with the committee to reconsider arguments for creating a “register of lobbyists” in Wales.

“By looking to best practice that exists in other nations, the Senedd and the Welsh government could benefit from a more transparent system that helps organisations engage decision makers in a way that carries the confidence of the public over the long term,” he said.

Shortly after his leadership victory, in March, Mr Gething asked former first minister Carwyn Jones to review the rules for future contests.

On Tuesday, Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies dismissed Mr Gething’s letter to the standards committee, saying it “will not cut the mustard”.

“It’s not just the sum of the donations, but crucially the source, that has concerned many people across Wales and within Gething’s own party.

“The only way we will be able to put those concerns to bed is with a full, independent investigation into Gething’s campaign donations.”