An independent report into whether Wales’ first minister misled the assembly over allegations of bullying at a senior level of the Welsh government three years ago has cleared him of breaching the ministerial code.

Allegations emerged following the death of assembly member Carl Sargeant in November of “bullying, mind games, favouritism [and] deliberate personal undermining” in the last assembly government.

Carwyn Jones told assembly members that any issues brought to his attention at that time were dealt with but leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, suggested Jones may have misled assembly members over his knowledge of bullying in the Welsh government.

Following the allegations, Jones amended the ministerial code to allow for referrals to be made to an independent adviser and referred himself for investigation.

Independent lawyer James Hamilton, who carried out the investigation, cleared Jones of any breach and said his answers to questions on the matter given on 11 November 2014 and 14 November 2017 were “accurate and truthful, and not misleading”.

Former minister Leighton Andrews said Sargeant, who is believed to have taken his own life four days after being removed from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children while facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour, was “unquestionably the target” of some of the behaviour and “toxic” atmosphere.

In his report released on Tuesday, Hamilton said there was no evidence that at the time of answering the first questions in 2014 the first minister had been made aware of any allegations or reports of bullying.

He also found no evidence of complaints being raised by Sargeant or of Andrews making complaints that could be “properly described as bullying”.

Hamilton wrote: “The late Mr Sargeant is known to have had a discussion over a drink with the first minister in October 2014, but it was the first minister’s evidence that no concerns of bullying were raised with him at this meeting.

“There is no evidence of complaints being raised by Mr Sargeant at any other time with the first minister.”

The report was released by Jones on Tuesday evening, hours after he threatened the assembly with legal action to stop a debate trying to force the publication of a report into leaks about a reshuffle before the death of Sargeant.

Commenting on the release of the Hamilton report, Davies, said: “We welcome the release of Mr Hamilton’s report, which sets an important precedent – particularly in light of the ongoing threat of legal action by the first minister, Carwyn Jones, to prevent publication of a similar report produced at the conclusion of the recent leak inquiry.

“Any continuation to frustrate its publication can only lead to more unhelpful speculation regarding the process and its contents and we would now expect the Welsh Labour government to publish the leak inquiry report without delay.”