Coroner apologises as Carl Sargeant inquest adjourned till new year
THE inquest into the death of Carl Sargeant has been adjourned until next year with major questions still to be resolved.
Over five days, witnesses have described the depression the former communities minister had suffered from and which he sought medical help for following a traumatic family event in 2014.
It has also been revealed that he told a ministerial driver “it was all my fault” and told his family in a note found with him that he had “failed” them.
However, yesterday senior North Wales east and central coroner John Gittins apologised to everyone involved that he was unable to conclude the inquest as planned that day with legal questions hanging over what evidence can still be introduced.
Yesterday, it emerged that a new witness statement has been provided by Labour’s Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones that has led the coroner to say he “may” need to recall the First Minister Carwyn Jones to give further evidence.
In his afternoon-long testimony on Wednesday, Mr Jones had said he asked his Labour colleague Ms Jones to provide pastoral care to Mr Sargeant after his sacking.
Leslie Thomas QC, representing the Sargeant family, has also asked him to seek phone and text message records from Mr Jones and his senior special adviser Matt Greenough relating to their contact with Ms Jones in the day of Mr Sargeant’s sacking and immediately afterwards.
There is also a pending legal challenge from the legal representative of the First Minister.
Cathryn McGahey QC said she has had instructions to seek a judicial review of Mr Gittins’ decision not to allow evidence relating to the allegations against Mr Sargeant to be admitted to the hearing.
Mr Sargeant, 49, was was found dead at his home in Connah’s Quay four days after being removed from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children in the Welsh Government last November.
He was facing allegations from three women of “unwanted attention, inappropriate behaviour or groping”.
The coroner has asked the legal representatives of the parties’ representatives to let him know their availability in the early part of 2019.
A spokesperson for the First Minister said: “It is right and proper that the inquest is conducted fairly and openly and the coroner considers all relevant evidence available to him.”
Carl Sargeant’s widow and son Jack flanked their solicitor on the steps of the court as he delivered a prepared statement. It said: “The family share the coroner’s disappointment that Carl’s inquest has not been concluded, although it is not surprising.
“We are shocked and concerned by new witness evidence which appears to contradict evidence already given on oath by the First Minister and his senior special adviser resulting in them having to return to court to clarify and explain those conflicts.
“For Bernie, Jack, Lucy and family it has been a long and difficult week, full of unnecessary delays and it is highly unsatisfactory that they have not yet been able to get all the answers they deserve. However, they are undeterred and will not stop in their quest for the truth.
“The family have asked me to say thank you to those witnesses who came and spoke openly, honestly and with compassion.
“It has meant a great deal to them. They would also like to send a heartfelt thanks to everyone across the country for the love and kindness they have been shown over the past 13 difficult