NEWPORT West AM Rosemary Butler has denied that there is a drinking culture at the National Assembly of Wales.
Ms Butler, presiding officer of the Assembly, told reporters that what people do after work is a matter for them.
She said chastisement from the standards committee should be the limit of the punishment of Llanelli AM Keith Davies following a report into his behaviour at a hotel after a night out in Cardiff.
He was said to have brought the Assembly into disrepute after staff at the St David’s Hotel were subjected to abuse and threats from a female companion of Mr Davies. He has apologised to the hotel.
Ms Butler added she would like to see the number of AMs rise from 60 to 80, but admitted there was little appetite for it.
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