Labour minister ‘takes own life’ after shocking sex claims
A LEADING Labour politician was last night reported to have taken his own life just days after resigning over a string of “shocking” sex allegations.
Carl Sargeant, 49, was a key party figure and a married father of two grown-up children.
Last Friday Sargeant, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in the Welsh Government, was suspended by his party over allegations of improper “personal conduct” by at least three women.
After the news emerged, Mr Sargeant stressed he resigned only to clear his name after a meeting with the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones – although Labour party sources claimed he was sacked.
Yesterday morning North Wales Police found his body at his home in Connah’s Quay in Flintshire, north Wales, after a tip-off that he had taken his life.
As a mark of respect, all work in the Welsh Assembly has been halted for the rest of the week.
Devastated
Last night Mr Sargeant’s heartbroken family paid tribute to the “much loved husband, father and friend”.
His wife Bernie, 48, and children Lucy, 25, and Jack, 23, are being comforted by family members.
In a statement they said: “He wasn’t simply a part of our family. He was the glue that bound us together.
“He was the heart of our family. We loved him so very much. He was the most kind and caring husband, father, son and friend.
“We are devastated beyond words, and we know our grief will be shared by all those who knew and loved him.”
Family members hugged each other on the drive of the former council house where Mr Sargeant lived, around the corner from the school where his wife works as a teaching assistant, as a black private ambulance left the property, guarded by police.
Labour colleagues Sargeant’s reacted distress to the news.
Lifelong friend and fellow Labour party representative Bernie Attridge wiped away tears as he spoke at the local of Mr with Labour club. Mr Attridge, 46, deputy leader of Flintshire County Council, said: “I’m absolutely distraught. We’ve grown up together.”
First Minister Mr Jones said: “Carl was a friend 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.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the death was “terrible and deeply shocking news”.
Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: “I am shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the death of Carl Sargeant.
“My heart goes out to his family, friends and colleagues.”
Mr Sargeant was on holiday with his wife in New York when the allegations broke and he immediately returned for a meeting with the First Minister.
After the meeting, Mr Sargeant called the allegations “shocking and distressing” but defiantly vowed to clear his name.
Urgent
He said: “The First Minister informed me allegations had been made about my personal conduct. I have requested an urgent independent investigation into these allegations to allow me to clear my name.
“Given the nature of the allegations, I agreed with the First Minister to stand aside.
“I look forward to returning once my name has been cleared.” A spokesman for the Welsh Government later said: “The First Minister has removed him and has asked Welsh Labour to launch a full investigation.”
But on Monday First Minister Carwyn Jones expanded on how he was made “aware of a number of incidents”.
He added: “I asked my office to speak to those women involved.
“As a result I felt I had no choice but to refer the matter to the party.
“If we have somebody in a position where they could bring the party into disrepute, then action is taken.”
A former chemical plant worker, Mr Sargeant was elected to the Welsh Assembly in 2003 to represent Alyn and Deeside and was a campaigner against domestic violence.