Former Caerphilly Assembly Member, Jeff Cuthbert, has said there was no culture of bullying during his time in Cardiff Bay.
Mr Cuthbert, who is now Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, was a member of the Welsh Government between 2013 and 2016 when he held the post of Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, having stepped up from his role Deputy Minister for Skills.
Speaking to BBC Wales, Mr Cuthbert said: “I generally found it a friendly or – as we say in the Labour party – comradely atmosphere.
“As government ministers we’re all capable of being passionate, we’re all capable of being robust when we felt our intentions, our policies or initiatives were not being taken as seriously by others as we would have liked.
“So we would have our arguments from time to time, but that’s to be expected at government level.
“But quite frankly it never got personal or any way intimidating.”
His comments follow claims by former Labour ministers and political aides of a culture of bullying and a “toxic” atmosphere in the Senedd, made in the wake of the death of ex-Labour AM Carl Sargeant.
Mr Sargeant, who was married with two children, was found dead at his Connah’s Quay home on Tuesday, November 7, four days after he was sacked from the Welsh Government cabinet over allegations made about his personal conduct.
His death sparked robust comments from friends, former colleagues and his family about the way his dismissal and subsequent treatment was handled by First Minister Carwyn Jones.
The Welsh Government has said it does not recognise the claims made by Steve Jones, a former special advisor to the First Minister, and former Welsh Government Minister for Education and Skills, Leighton Andrews.
Mr Jones has ordered an inquiry into his own actions amid mounting pressure from opposition parties and Labour MPs Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) and Ian Lucas (Wrexham).
On Monday, November 13, an inquest heard the provisional cause of Mr Sargeant’s death was hanging, while on Tuesday November 14, the Welsh Assembly’s plenary began with tributes to the late ex-minister.
Islwyn AM, Rhianon Passmore told the chamber: “Carl Sargeant was my friend, is my friend, and will forever be my friend. No words are sad enough to express his loss.
“As a proud feminist, I want it stated on the record that no other Assembly Member in two decades of Welsh devolution has been as passionate to champion the progress of women and children’s rights and causes through legislation than Carl Sargeant.
“As minister for social justice he became known as champion of equality and women’s rights and backed a succession of initiatives aimed at tackling domestic violence. Carl was a friend to me but also a friend to the people I represent.
“Carl was the genuine article, an authentic working class politician, he did speak the language of the man and woman on the street and when he visited Islwyn, the affection was obvious. His exuberance and sheer decency was evident to all that met him.
“It is almost unbearable to know he died not knowing how much we loved and respected him.”