The Welsh Office getting ready for devolution

BBC correspondent Guto Harri looks at the allegations (2' 54")

Labour Row Over Welsh Devolution

In their election manifesto, Labour promised a referendum on a separately-elected assembly which would have a say in how the country is run - though it wouldn't have tax-raising powers. Mr Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent, is a long-time opponent of a separate assembly for Wales.

Llew Smith

Llew Smith: "never experienced such intimidation"

Mr Smith lays all the blame at the door of the Welsh Secretary, Ron Davies. He says Mr Davies told him he would risk expulsion, if he would not support devolution. The MP also claimed that leaders of his local council had been told that their relationship with the Welsh Office could suffer because of his stance.

The MP for Blaenau Gwent stressed that neither the party whips nor the leader of the parliamentary Labour party were involved in the row. He said he had taken up the issue with Government Chief Whip Nick Brown, who was now investigating.

When confronted with Mr Smith's accusations, the Welsh Secretary said there could be no question of threats or intimidation. He had met Mr Smith to discuss the MPs attitude to the referendum campaign and the political consequences of his stance.

Ron Davies is one of Labour's main campaigners for Welsh devolution, and he points out that the promise of a referendum on devolution had been part of Labour's manifesto, and it would be "reasonable to say that we expect loyalty to the election manifesto". The party would have to look at sanctions, if an MP would prove to behave disloyal.

Ron Davies: Sanctions may be necessary

The Tories' spokesman on Welsh affairs, Nigel Evans, said the Labour government appeared to be indulging in "Stalinist activity". And accused the Welsh Secretary of "breath-taking arrogance [...] trying to impose his views on people who have their own principled views.