Coroner to examine Assembly’s role in death of accused politician
A CORONER investigating the death of politician Carl Sargeant says he will examine how the Welsh Assembly acted in relation to his mental welfare before his apparent suicide.
Mr Sargeant, 49, was found hanging at his home last week by his wife Bernadette, four days after being removed from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children, an inquest heard.
The father of two, from Connah’s Quay, North Wales, was suspended from the Labour Party over allegations of “unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping”.
But he was not told the details of what he was accused of and unable to properly defend himself, his family said.
It is understood that details were withheld to protect the identity of the complainants but Mr Sargeant’s family and solicitors say being kept in the dark caused him mental anguish.
Yesterday, John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales (East and Central), at a brief hearing to open and adjourn the inquest into Mr Sargeant’s death at the County Hall in Ruthin, said he would be seeking statements from witnesses at the Wales Assembly, including First Minister Carwyn Jones, and they may be required to attend the court at a future hearing.
Mr Gittins also said that, as coroner, it was his duty to consider any steps that may be taken to prevent future deaths. He continued: “With this aspect of my role in mind, I shall be examining carefully the steps taken by the Assembly to have regard to Mr Sargeant’s mental welfare prior to his death.”
Earlier, the court heard that last Tuesday morning Mrs Sargeant had gone downstairs and found a note on the door of her utility room in her husband’s handwriting advising her not to enter but to call the police.
She then went in and found her husband on the floor of the “lean-to” adjoining the utility room. Efforts to resuscitate him were made by Mrs Sargeant along with paramedics.
The inquest was adjourned.