Welsh ex-minister under probe over misconduct found dead

A Labour party Assembly Member of the UK's devolved Welsh government was found dead today, days after he was sacked and placed under investigation over allegations about his personal conduct by a number of women.

Carl Sargeant is understood to have committed suicide after North Wales Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The 49-year-old had been sacked as the Welsh cabinet secretary for communities and children last Friday after allegations about inappropriate behaviour were passed to Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones.

North Wales Police Superintendent Mark Pierce said the force had been called this morning to a report that a man's body had been found at an address in Connah's Quay, Flintshire, Wales.
 

"North Wales Police are not treating his death as suspicious and the matter has been referred to HM Coroner," he said.

The exact cause of death will be known once the coroner makes a statement.

"This is terrible and deeply shocking news. My thoughts and profound sympathy are with Carl's family, friends and colleagues," Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn said.

Sargeant, the Welsh Assembly Member for Alyn and Deeside, said last week that he had met the First Minister and been told that allegations had been made against him. He was suspended from party membership "while an investigation into allegations received takes place", the Welsh government said.

The politician, who was married with two children, had called for an urgent investigation to clear his name.

A family statement described Sargeant as a "much loved husband, father and friend".

"He wasn't simply a part of our family. He was the glue that bound us together. We are devastated beyond words," the statement said.

First Minister Jones had said yesterday that he had heard of a number of alleged incidents with women, and felt he had no choice but to refer the matter to the party.

"Carl was a friend as well as a colleague and I am shocked and deeply saddened by his death. He made a big contribution to Welsh public life and fought tirelessly for those he represented both as a minister and as a local assembly member," Jones said in a statement.