1. Will the Commission provide an update on the security sweep of the Assembly estate? OAQ54721

As a consequence of the Commission being made aware that there had been covert recording of private and confidential conversations on the Assembly estate, a sweep of the estate was undertaken to ensure that no covert recording devices are now present. We had to take this step to provide assurance to Assembly Members and their staff, staff of the Assembly Commission, Welsh Government staff, other users of the estate and members of the public that they can be confident of being able to hold conversations in a safe environment, free from fear of eavesdropping.

You should be aware that the South Wales Police are investigating the former standards commissioner and staff for misconduct in public office. I will be providing the South Wales Police with everything I have, including new evidence.

I'm sorry. This is about the security sweep of the Assembly estate. You cannot mention things that are already being investigated. So, if you can stick to the security sweep on the Assembly estate, we'd be grateful.

It's alleged that you as Presiding Officer have banged heads together and supposedly—[Inaudible.]

No, no. I'm sorry. No, I'm sorry, that's not acceptable. Can you stick to your question, which is about the security sweep on the Assembly estate? It's not about—

With respect, Deputy Presiding Officer—[Inaudible.]

No. [Inaudible.] Sorry. Thank you. Your question is on the security sweep of the Assembly estate. The Llywydd is answering that question as the Chair of the Commission. It is not for anything else other than the security sweep of the Assembly estate.

I want it noted, therefore, that I'm unable to make progress to ask the question that I wish to ask. So, therefore, on my feet here, I will ask a different question. [Interruption.] I'm not being allowed to make progress, with respect, Deputy Presiding Officer.

Just ask your supplementary. Ask your supplementary.

You tabled the question.

It's your question. You wrote it.

Thank you. If the Member can ask his supplementary question. Thank you.

You were quick enough to initiate a sweep of this estate when you were well aware that it was simply my mobile phone that recorded. What other action did you take to preserve at least a modicum of integrity with the complaints process? Because—

I'm sorry, Mr McEvoy. You strayed again. Can you just stick to the actual essentials of the security sweep of the Assembly estate and just—? You were doing well up until you went on to the second bit. So, just think about what you're going to say next.

Presiding Officer, or Deputy Presiding Officer, I believe my question is in order and it should be answered. What we have here, yet again, is a Deputy Presiding Officer protecting—[Inaudible.]

I'm not going to have that. Right. Your mike has been off. And because you want to question that, I'm not going to allow the Llywydd—. [Interruption.] There is nothing for the Llywydd to answer.

There's a surprise—[Inaudible.]

Question 2—Mark Reckless.