Former education minister Leighton Andrews has denied allegations that he used a 'bullying tone' during a 2013 meeting, claiming instead that he is the target of a 'deeply malicious' campaign to undermine his reputation.
A letter sent to the first minister in May 2013, seen by BBC Wales, complained about Mr Andrews' conduct in a meeting with education chiefs regarding the future of the WJEC exam board. David Lewis, then acting chair of the WJEC, wrote that Mr Andrews launched into a 'vitriolic and personal attack' on the CEO, using a 'personal bullying tone' and making 'threatening rants'.
Mr Lewis described the minister's behaviour as 'appalling' and noted that colleagues used words like 'thug' and 'bully' after the meeting. The complaint also cited an incident in November 2014 where a Welsh Government official raised concerns about Mr Andrews' conduct, though the matter was resolved informally and not escalated to the first minister until January 2018.
Responding to the allegations, Mr Andrews said: 'There is a deliberate campaign to undermine me and others who have spoken up in support of Carl Sargeant. It is deeply malicious and yet more evidence of the bullying culture practiced by certain people within the Welsh Government.' He dismissed the complaint as 'laughable' and stood by his actions, which led to the creation of Qualifications Wales.
