TWO Welsh Government ministers who attended an off the record dinner party with a lobbyist and the owner of the Green Man are to stand aside from future decisions on a £4m farm purchase for the festival. 

Climate change minister Julie James and the education minister Jeremy Miles have accepted advice they should ‘recuse themselves’ from any future decision making over the Welsh Government’s agreement to buy a farm for the popular music festival that is held every August in Crickhowell. 

The Welsh Government has paid £4.25 million for Gilestone farm, in Talybont-on-Usk near Brecon, and it intends handing management of the site to the Green Man Festival. The purchase was made before the Welsh Government had received a business plan from the festival but last week it emerged James and Miles had attended a private dinner party with festival boss Fiona Stewart and Cathy Owens – whose lobbying firm, Deryn, represents the festival. 

The dinner party, which due to a loophole in the Welsh Government’s ministerial code didn’t have to be declared or recorded, was held at Owens’ home. The dinner only came to light after it was discovered by the Western Mail. 

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That prompted first minister Mark Drakeford to order a civil service inquiry into the dinner, which has been described as a “social event”, and the attendance of the two ministers any potential impact on decision making. 

In a statement issued today the first minister said: “Whilst neither Minister is anticipated to be a decision maker in relation to Gilestone Farm, in view of the risk of perceived conflict, both Ministers have recused themselves from any future decisions.” 

The minute of the advice presented to the first minister confirms it was the advice of the civil service that James and Miles should step aside, or recuse themselves, from any future decisions. 

In the statement the first minister also said: “For the avoidance of any doubt, the advice concludes that no breach of the Ministerial Code had taken place and that neither Minister had exercised any decision making in relation to the purchase of Gilestone Farm.” 

The report also considered the Welsh Government’s ministerial code – which guides ministers on their conduct and how they should carry out their duties – and the loophole which means “informal” meetings, such as social gatherings, do not have to be declared. 

The civil service is now recommending the first minister “should ask his Cabinet colleagues to bear in mind that any contact with lobbyists, even outside of their ministerial roles, may on occasion create a perception that they are opening themselves to influence.” 

Rather than requiring all meetings to be noted and properly recorded the civil service has instead suggested: “First Minister should ask his Cabinet colleagues to bear in mind that any contact with lobbyists, even outside of their ministerial roles, may on occasion create a perception that they are opening themselves to influence.”