A finger-pointing Ieuan Wyn Jones and a grim-faced Dafydd Wigley

Former deputy first minister Mike German is the focus of an investigation into fraud - which he strenuously denies - at the European unit he headed at the Welsh exams board, the WJEC.

Last week it emerged that Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman Simon Hughes had called the police last summer regarding the inquiry and that Mr Shortridge was also in contact with the force.

When questioned about this last week, Mr Morgan denied that he had instructed the permanent secretary to make the calls, but he insisted he had done nothing "underhand".

The waters had been further muddied by a denial by Economics Minister Andrew Davies that anyone from the Welsh Assembly Government had contacted the police regarding Mr German.

You give the impression that the career of Mike German is more important than the good governance of Wales

Plaid Cymru Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones

Opposition parties made claims of "duplicity and deception lies at the heart of Rhodri Morgan's government".

Speaking to the assembly chamber on Tuesday, Mr Morgan reiterated that he had done nothing wrong.

"No action that I have taken or caused to be taken could be construed as pressurising or intervening in the police inquiries in any way," he said.

"What I have done, rightly, properly, responsibly, and in accordance with my duty as first minister, is to be as well informed as is reasonable about the timetable..."

And a statement put out by the force minutes later, said that it had not been put under any pressure and said the continuing investigation has not been compromised.

Rhodri Morgan delivers his statement to the assembly

Describing Mr Shortridge as a "firewall" between him and the police, Mr Morgan added that any suggestion that this arangement should have been made public was "absurd".

Not convinced, Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said the whole affair "stinks of a cover-up".

"It gives the whole impression of you being pushed along by events, characterised by indecision and dithering," he said.

"Not once throughout this whole affair have you shown that you have been in charge of events.

"You give the impression that the career of Mike German is more important than the good governance of Wales...

Simon Hughes made four calls to the police

"And I have to tell you first minister, the whole affair stinks with the stench of a cover-up."

Conservative group leader Nick Bourne said the impression had been given the preservation of the Liberal Democrats - who are in coalition with Labour - "took precedence over the good governance of Wales".

He went on to say that not only had Mr Morgan tried to "mislead the assembly" but that his intergrity was now on the line.