FIRST Minister Rhodri Morgan has come to the defence of his deputy, Mike German, saying there is no need for him to resign.

Mr German has been under fire for weeks, due to allegations surrounding his former job as head of the European unit of the Welsh Joint Education Committee. An auditor's report has been referred to the police by the exam board.

Mr Morgan told yesterday's plenary session: "A tide of innuendo, allegation and rumour has swirled around the person concerned, the WJEC and this Assembly in such a way that could be damaging to all three."

He said that handing documents to the police did not constitute grounds for a minister to resign.

But Mr Morgan had to fend off attacks from Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives who called for Mr German to respect the integrity of the Assembly by standing down.