WALES could be without a children’s commissioner temporarily after delays in recruiting, Welsh Conservatives have warned.

Current commissioner Keith Towler will leave his post in March but no replacement has been hired after an initial process held earlier this year failed to appoint a candidate.

Tory shadow education minister Angela Burns AM said she been told the next recruitment process may not result in the post being filled by the time the current commissioner leaves.

In its response to a written question, the Labour government also confirmed the job is now being advertised more widely at a cost of £20,000.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have been working with the Commissioner’s office to ensure there is a smooth transition from one Commissioner to the next.

“The appointment process will be completed in early January and we hope the new Commissioner will be able to take up the post on 1 March, immediately following Keith Towler’s departure. However, this will be dependent on the new Commissioner’s circumstances. If necessary, the Deputy Children’s Commissioner will assume responsibilities until the new Commissioner takes up their role to ensure continuity of service for children and young people in Wales.”

Mrs Burns said: “This is a clear admission that the initial recruitment process was nowhere near as extensive and detailed as it should have been.

“For a country that led the way in the creation of this role – making it the first in the UK – it’s a great shame it’s making such a hash of recruiting the next one.

“It’s now likely there will be a period of empty office and I hope the First Minister will provide a full explanation.”

Lesley Grifiths, minister for communities and tackling poverty, replied to her on November 25 saying: “There were no costs incurred during the first recruitment process, other than administrative costs, as the post was advertised through networks within Wales and on a limited basis in the UK.

“Having started the process again, we have taken the decision to advertise the post differently and more widely this time, to ensure we attract the widest field of candidates possible. This will result in some additional costs. We foresee the total costs for recruiting the Commissioner will be no more than £20,000.”

Meanwhile, Mohammad Asghar, Tory AM for South Wales East, today called for the Office of Children’s Commissioner for Wales to be made more independent of the Welsh Government.

Speaking in the National Assembly during questions to the First Minister, he said: “A key international standard in relation to National Human Rights Institutions for children is their independence from government.”

“Concerns have been expressed that the Children’s Commissioner’s independence is potentially undermined because the office is funded through a Welsh Government Minister rather than directly by the National Assembly.”

“I am calling on the First Minister to commit to looking at the way the Children’s Commissioner’s Office is funded to ensure Wales is in compliance with international human rights standards.”