The one party state of Wales has sacked one of its most senior cabinet members, condemning his “unacceptable” behaviour. Environment minister Alun Davies ordered non-partisan civil servants to use taxpayer-funded resources to dig up dirt on his political opponents. In emails produced here by Guido, Davies told his private secretary to send him details of payments made to the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, leader of the Welsh LibDems and a senior Plaid Cymru politician, in breach of the ministerial code:

The civil servant then emailed the, hilariously titled, ‘Welsh Cabinet Secretary’ to raise concerns that Davies’ request was “for party-political purposes” and that “I do not think it is appropriate”. He goes on to report that despite advising Davies that he was not allowed to release the information, “he has now requested this information verbally again”.

The Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said Davies’ actions were “poorly judged” and “inappropriate”. And he’s just been fired.