Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood, who represents South Wales Central, said: “Jeremy Colman’s resignation comes as a complete shock as it was only in May last year that his contract was extended for a further three years.    “I have previously called for an independent investigation into the running of the Wales Audit Office and I still believe that is necessary after Mr Colman’s departure.   “There have been allegations that a bullying culture exists within the office and this is an issue that will need to be addressed as a matter of urgency by his immediate successor and whoever is appointed to this key role in the long term.�   Last December Leanne Wood obtained information under the Freedom of Information Act revealing that five managers at the office of the Auditor General have been subject to disciplinary or investigative action following complaints by staff.   The Plaid Cymru AM was told that its senior staff had been given advice or asked to attend courses about workplace bullying after staff allegations. The complaints had been lodged by staff between April 1, 2005, and October 31, 2009.   The WAO also confirmed that two independent investigations had been carried out at the request of the WAO as a result of complaints but they refused to detail the recommendations, saying that they were exempt under the Freedom of Information Act.   Earlier in 2009 a request made by Leanne Wood under the Freedom of Information Act found that in the last three financial years nine individual employee disputes had been registered at the office of the Auditor General. In addition, two joint grievances were also registered in 2008-09.   Over the three years there had been six complaints of “detriment arising from failure to follow proper procedures�, five complaints of bullying, three of detrimental change in work provided and two of unlawful discrimination.   The Wales Audit Office told Leanne Wood that £173,904 in legal costs had been racked up covering employment disputes and changes in policies as a result of employment disputes.   They also revealed that £125,706 was paid out in settlement agreements with a further £45,542 in pension payments as a result of employment disputes.   Late last year former Finance Minister Andrew Davies explained in the Senedd that he had successfully sought an amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill which would give the Assembly the powers to introduce new governance arrangements for the Wales Audit Office. They paralleled the powers that the UK Parliament had sought in relation to the National Audit Office.