Sex claims politician said ‘it’s my own fault’ before killing himself
A WELSH politician sacked over “bombshell” sex claims told his chauffeur “it’s my own fault” and made a cut-throat gesture days before he hanged himself, an inquest heard.
Welsh Assembly Member Carl Sargeant was being driven back to the train station in Cardiff after a brief meeting with First Minister Carwyn Jones, who sacked him from his job as a cabinet secretary after sexual misconduct claims from three women.
The father-of-two, aged 49, was found hanged at his home in Connah’s Quay four days later on November 7 last year.
Calvin Williams, a driver for Welsh government ministers, told the fourth day of the inquest into Mr Sargeant’s death about the drive back to the station minutes after the meeting.
Mr Williams told the hearing: “I thought I was taking him to the railway station. But I asked him, ‘All okay?’”
“He said, ‘No’. He made a throat-cut gesture.”
Seconds later after a phone call, Mr Sargeant asked Mr Williams to drop him off at the Hilton Hotel instead. After they arrived at the hotel, Mr Williams asked the politician if he was “pulling my leg” about being sacked by Mr Jones.
Mr Williams said: “He said, ‘No. I’m gone.’ I said, ‘Why would he do that?’
Mr Sargeant replied: “It’s okay. It’s complicated. It’s my own fault. I have brought it on myself.”
Earlier the hearing was told at least three women had made claims amid rumours swirling within political circles.
Mr Jones decided to sack Mr Sargeant once a written complaint had been made on November 1. The First Minister said he had not been aware Mr Sargeant suffered from depression.
General secretary of Welsh Labour Louise Magee later told the inquest Mr Sargeant had been “calm” but “frustrated” when she spoke to him after his sacking.
Leslie Thomas QC, representing Mr Sargeant’s family, has raised questions with witnesses about the “pastoral care” given to the politician, given that he had suffered from depression, the allegations were not put to him to respond to and his sacking came as a “bombshell” to him.