'President' Elis-Thomas attacked by Michael

Alun Michael has stepped down as an Assembly Member

Alun Michael has accused Assembly Presiding Officer Lord Elis-Thomas of increasingly over-stepping the mark.

He said Lord Elis-Thomas had tried to act as president in his use of assembly powers.

On his first visit back to the assembly since returning to Westminster, Alun Michael claimed that Lord Elis-Thomas was "running something separate from the administration".

Lord Elis-Thomas: Under attack

Former Assembly First Secretary Mr Michael said that while such an arrangement could work in the USA or Scotland, it could not function in Wales.

In the interview - broadcast on BBC Wales's political programme The Point - Mr Michael went on to say that it was "slightly bizarre" for Lord Elis-Thomas to have his own set of legal advisers.

The assembly was supposed to be a corporate body, he said.

Mr Michael added that it was inappropriate for the presiding officer to try and second guess the advice of the Counsel General, Winston Roddick.

In February, the House of Lords heard Lord Elis-Thomas attacked over the events leading to Mr Michael's resignation as first secretary.

Links severed

The former leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Lord Carlile, told a debate on devolution that Lord Elis-Thomas had made inflammatory and intemperate remarks about Alun Michael's future three days before he resigned.

Lord Carlile had said Lord Elis-Thomas should consider whether he was suited to the position of neutrality required by his current role.

Alun Michael formally severed his links with the Assembly on 1 May. His Mid and West Wales seat was taken by Delyth Evans.

He decided to concentrate on his role as Cardiff South and Penarth MP after stepping down as first secretary.