No, I don't accept that, actually, and I wouldn't accept that if I were subject to a referral in standards either. The point about this process is that it can apply to any Minister, where appropriate, whereas the procedure proposed by the motion in front of us would only apply to the First Minister.

The code does not prescribe the scope, format or conduct of any inquiry the adviser may be asked to undertake. It is for the adviser to determine how to act on matters referred by the First Minister, as is the case in the Scottish Parliament. 

Over the coming weeks, a panel of several suitably qualified and experienced advisers will be appointed to undertake this work, individually or collectively, for any cases referred in the future. In the meantime, James Hamilton, the current independent adviser to the Scottish Government, has accepted an immediate referral from the First Minister in relation to allegations that have been made that he has breached the ministerial code. The amendment the Welsh Government has laid to the motion in front of the National Assembly today recognises the action we have taken to strengthen the ministerial code for the future, and to start an immediate independent investigation into these allegations.

This investigation will look at the issues that have been aired in this Chamber and in the media in the last couple of weeks, and will determine whether the First Minister breached the ministerial code. We will ensure that the National Assembly, via the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister, receives a copy of Mr Hamilton's report. A fortnight ago, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, who today asked for a National Assembly committee to look at these allegations, asked the First Minister and the Permanent Secretary to appoint an impartial third party to investigate.