By Martin Shipton, Western Mail

January 27, 2006

THE Assembly Cabinet's controversial spin doctor Cathy Owens is facing an allegation that she has breached the employment code for special advisers.

Ms Owens had said Ministers would not countenance "Quebec- style" language laws in Wales, even though the Assembly Government understood the Welsh Language Board was going through its "death throes".

She went on to say, "It's for elected politicians to agree the way forward for public policy in Wales. We are talking about a situation where English speakers have rights too. Turkeys don't vote for Christmas but no one voted for the Language Board either."

Mr Bourne said, "The comments were highly inflammatory and in our view represent a clear breach of the code relating to special advisers.

"The code is there for a purpose. Even if the spokesperson was acting with the Minister's authority - which he has so far failed to confirm - they should have acted with discretion and moderation.

"We all want to secure a vibrant future for the Welsh language based on consensus and co-operation. The spokesperson's ill-judged and provocative comments have made no positive contribution to that debate.

"Alun Pugh has also had the opportunity to express his approval of the Welsh Language Board continuing with its statutory role in supporting the Welsh language. He has failed to do so.

"Both this and the comments by the minister's spokesperson have lent further weight to the growing body of evidence that the Assembly Government is trying to turn the Welsh language into a political football."

According to point 14 of the Civil Service Code issued by the Cabinet Office, special advisers must not take public part in political controversy, whether in speeches or letters to the press, or in books, articles or leaflets; must observe discretion and express comment with moderation, avoiding personal attacks; and would not normally speak in public for their Minister or the Department.

An Assembly Government spokeswoman said, "I can confirm that a letter has now been received from Nick Bourne. The points made in his letter will be looked into and a response will be sent to him in due course.

"We have no further comment to make on this matter."

Earlier this week Ms Owens mistakenly left a message on our chief reporter's mobile phone stating that all journalists were "bastards". In December 2004 the Civil Service union Prospect received an apology after Civil Service press officers complained about Ms Owens's allegedly hectoring manner.