Vaughan Gething tried to stop release of lobbying details

Acting on a tip-off, Newyddion S4C requested correspondence between Mr Gething and NRW after BBC Wales’s original request for information relating to Mr Gething lobbying on behalf of Mr Neal’s companies.

The emails released by NRW show it contacted Mr Gething on 4 March, asking whether there was any reason the information it gathered should not be released under environmental information regulations.

Vaughan Gething first responded the next day, claiming the request was a “fishing expedition” and that his constituents would expect correspondence on their behalf by an elected representative to remain confidential.

He also queried whether releasing the information would breach data protection laws.

An NRW representative replied saying the disclosure was legal and required under the environmental information regulations.

Mr Gething then responded once more saying he did “not understand how my correspondence, whether in full or in part, amounts to environmental information”.

He cited releasing the information would “have a material impact” on the way he did his job for his constituents.

The information requested was released by NRW on 8 March. Mr Gething was announced as leader of Welsh Labour on 16 March.