Inquest is told of hanged MP ‘groping’ claims
A WELSH politician hanged himself days after being accused of touching and groping women, an inquest has heard.
Wales Assembly Member Carl Sargeant, 49, was summoned to Cardiff and fired from his job as cabinet secretary for communities and children by First Minister Carwyn Jones after the “bombshell” sex claims.
The father-of-two was found hanged by his wife Bernadette at his home in Connah’s Quay, North Wales, four days later on November 7 last year. His family have been critical over the way his sacking was handled.
On the fourth day of the inquest into his death, held at Ruthin County Hall, details were given for the first time of the women’s claims against Mr Sargeant.
A letter was read from Carwyn Jones to Labour Party officials in Wales, to put in motion an investigation and Mr Sargeant’s suspension from the Labour Party.
The letter read: “In the last few days three women have come forward.
The nature of the complaints relate to unwanted attention, inappropriate touching and groping.”
The inquest has heard Mr Sargeant was never told the exact nature of the allegations, or who is accusers were.
And a friend told the hearing he felt “besieged”, with “no one in the Labour Party taking his calls” and he “did not trust” them, following his sacking.
His friend David Taylor told the inquest, Mr Sargeant also complained to him that BBC Wales had been “banging on his door” and the First Minister was “trying to destroy my reputation”.
None of the three women have been identified and exact details of their complaints have not been given, arising out of incidents in 2016 and 2017. The First Minister dismissed Mr Sargeant after a formal complaint was made. The hearing continues.