8. Will the First Minister make a statement on the relationship between his office and professional lobbyists? OAQ54265

Llywydd, the rules in relation to ministerial relationships with professional lobbyists are set out in the ministerial code.

Thank you for that answer, First Minister. I heard what you said to the leader of the opposition in respect of the leak inquiry. But it is important when it comes to Cabinet reshuffles, for which you and your office are solely responsible, that there is confidentiality. The economy Secretary highlighted that yesterday in comments that he made. There is an impression—whether that's right or wrong—that information was circulating amongst certain lobbyists that they were informed of what might've happened at the last Government—[Interruption.] I can again hear the former First Minister chuntering—[Interruption.] You tried to shout me down last time, former First Minister—[Interruption.] You will not silence me—

Allow the Member to continue with his questioning.

You will not silence me on this, First Minister. And quite clearly, the leak inquiry highlights that there was evidence of authorised sharing. It is in there. It might only be 330 words, former First Minister, but it's there. And if you want to debate it, I'll happily debate it with you—

You need to address—

—but I'll direct my comments—

You need to address your question to the First Minister.

I will gladly refer to the current First Minister, because the question is pointed at him. What have you learnt, First Minister, from the previous Cabinet reshuffle, which had such tragic consequences, and what measures are you putting in place that will give Ministers that confidentiality, which the economy Secretary highlighted in his comments yesterday, that Cabinet Ministers do deserve when there's a reshuffle taking place?

Well, Llywydd, Members here will know that the coroner put a series of questions to me about the arrangements that surround reshuffles within the Cabinet here in the Welsh Government, and I made a statement to the coroner setting out the arrangements that I would intend to put in place, and that statement was read into the record of the coroner's hearings and is available to all Members. Members will also know that the coroner took a decision to issue a prevention of future deaths report in which he looks for some further details of how reshuffles are conducted in a Government and the support services that are made available to those caught up in them. The Government has 56 days, as is the case with any prevention of future deaths report, to respond to the questions that the coroner has posed. I will take those questions very seriously. I will respond in full to them, and I will take the time that is necessary and is allowed for in the prevention of future deaths context to come to those conclusions. When I make my further submission to the coroner, I will make sure that that submission is published and available to all Members.

Thank you, First Minister.