"Where is the 'smoking gun'?" asks German

4.53.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th Jul 2005

A much quoted report which has been used by Economic Development Minister Andrew Davies to justify his attacks on the WDA, does not exist, Welsh Liberal Democrats believe.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly leader Mike German says the WDA's internal review has been misused by the Minister to attack the International Division and deflect attention from other areas of his growing empire.

Mr German said: "Andrew Davies has not been slow to quote with authority from this apparent 'smoking gun', but after discussions with sources inside the WDA I am convinced this document does not exist.

"I understand that no consolidated written report of the International Division was ever compiled, yet to hear the minister you would believe that this document was the 'smoking gun' which justifies his unprecedented attacks on public servants who work to implement his policies. I am also told that the papers that led him to this conclusion contain no criticism of any employees either past or present, and recommend no changes in many areas of the International Division's work.

"Andrew Davies has been very keen to scapegoat one branch of the WDA for failings in his economic policies. Now he must show us the evidence on which he has made these claims."

Welsh Liberal Democrats will call on the government to publish the reports which led to the announcement of a due diligence inquiry in the debate on Wednesday (amendment 2).