QC TO LEAD INQUIRY INTO DEATH OF CARL SARGEANT:
FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones has agreed to an independent inquiry into his handling of unspecified sexual harassment allegations against former Cabinet colleague Carl Sargeant, who apparently committed suicide.
A week ago Mr Sargeant, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children, left the Cabinet after being told by Mr Jones that allegations in the category of “unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping” had been levelled against him.
Mr Sargeant issued a statement saying he was given no more details, denied any wrongdoing and said he hoped for a swift inquiry that would result in his name being cleared and his return to government.
But instead of referring the matter to the Civil Service in line with the Ministerial Code, Mr Jones had, without Mr Sargeant’s knowledge, asked a special adviser to conduct an unofficial preliminary inquiry before passing the matter to the Labour Party for investigation.
When Mr Sargeant’s solicitor asked the Labour Party for details of the allegations, he was told that a hearing was mooted for the middle of January 2018.
On Thursday Mr Jones stopped short of endorsing an inquiry, suggesting that a coroner’s inquest might provide the answers Mr Sargeant’s family is seeking.
But after pressure from the family, as well as from within the Labour Party and other politicians, the First Minister has conceded that an inquiry led by a senior lawyer is necessary.
A spokesman for the First Minister said: “Further to the First Minister’s comments yesterday about the need for independent scrutiny of his actions and decisions in relation to Carl Sargeant, he agrees that there should be an independent inquiry and it would be proper to ask a senior QC to lead that work.
“To ensure this happens separately from his office, the First Minister has asked the Permanent Secretary to begin preparatory work for this inquiry, and to make contact with the family to discuss the terms of reference and the identity of the QC. It is our understanding that such an inquiry should not take place before the outcome of a coroner’s inquest – but we will take further advice on this matter.”
Mr Sargeant’s family immediately voiced reservations about what was being proposed, with a spokesman for the family saying: “The inquiry must be established by a body that is fully independent of Welsh Government. The Permanent Secretary reports directly to the First Minister and is therefore not independent.
“We believe that a truly independent body must also be responsible for agreeing the terms of reference and appointing the chair and secretariat for the inquiry.”
It is understood the family would like a senior Whitehall civil servant to be involved in organising the logistics of an inquiry, so that all aspects are independent of the Welsh Government.
In calling for an independent inquiry, the family spokesman said: “A full independent inquiry must be established immediately. Its terms of reference, the appointment of the chair and secretariat must be undertaken by a body which is fully independent of the Welsh Government in consultation with the family.”