By-election in Carl Sargeant’s constituency

A BY-ELECTION to choose a successor to the late Labour AM Carl Sargeant is expected to be held in Alyn & Deeside in early February.

Mr Sargeant is believed to have taken his own life on November 7, four days after agreeing with First Minister Carwyn Jones to step down from his post as Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children because of unspecified allegations of sexual harassment made against him. He denied any wrongdoing and said he hoped to clear his name, but was found dead at his home in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire.

Presiding Officer Elin Jones has formally declared a vacancy in the constituency which Mr Sargeant represented from 2003.