SENIOR Labour politician Carl Sargeant has been found dead just days after being sacked from his Welsh Government role and suspended from the party over allegations about his personal conduct.
The Welsh Assembly member, who was removed from his post as cabinet secretary for communities and children following allegations from a number of women, is understood to have taken his own life.
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, who sacked Sargeant on Friday, said he was “shocked and deeply saddened”.
The politician and wife Bernie had two children, Lucy and Jack.
In a statement the family said: “Carl was a much loved husband, father and friend. He wasn’t simply a part of our family. He was the glue that bound us together. He was the heart of our family. We loved him so very much. He was the most kind and caring husband, father, son and friend. We are devastated beyond words, and we know our grief will be shared by all those who knew and loved him.
“We are in shock and grief. We ask that our privacy is respected at this time.”
Police were called to Sargeant’s home in Connah’s Quay, in his Alyn and Deeside seat, at 11.30am yesterday following a report a body had been found.
The 49-year-old was told about the existence of allegations against him by Jones last week but had not been given details about the claims.
He described the allegations as “shocking and distressing” and had said he hoped for an urgent investigation to give him the chance to clear his name.
Last night Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn paid tribute to the former Welsh Government minister, who he said had worked hard to represent his community, and that his “deepest sympathies” were with his family.
Corbyn also called for pastoral care and support to be given to everybody involved in the crisis sweeping Westminster and Holyrood.
“All allegations must be examined and must be pursued but there also has to be great pastoral care and support for everybody caught up in these accusations,” he said.
“Everyone needs help and support, whatever their situation, and that’s how we must get through these things.”
On Monday, Jones said he was forced to take action after becoming aware of “certain incidents” with women allegedly involving Sargeant.
He said: “My office spoke to the women involved. As a result of those discussions I felt there was no choice other than to refer the matter to my own party for further investigation.”
Responding to his former colleague’s death, Jones said yesterday: “Carl was a friend as well as a colleague and I am shocked and deeply saddened by his death.
“He made a big contribution to Welsh public life and fought tirelessly for those he represented both as a minister and as a local assembly member.
“He will be a great loss both to our party and to the Senedd.
“My heartfelt sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.”
Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson said he had campaigned with Sargeant for many years.
Watson added: “He was a powerful voice for working people and Wales. He put community at the heart of his politics and was respected by his constituents for it.”
Alyn and Deeside’s Labour MP Mark Tami, who had shared an office with Sargeant, said: “I will miss him very much.”
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said he was “shocked and saddened by the tragic news”.
Lifelong childhood friend and fellow Labour Party representative Bernie Attridge wiped away tears as he spoke. Attridge, 46, the deputy leader of Flintshire County Council, speaking at the local Labour Club, said: “I’m absolutely distraught. He was a personal friend of mine. I’ve known Carl all my life. We’ve grown up together in Connah’s Quay.
“Carl was very instrumental in saving this club that we are standing in now from closing. Today I find myself in very dark days. It’s such a sad loss of such a great friend of mine.
“At the end of the day allegations were made. I’m a great believer you are innocent until proven guilty.
“I don’t know the details of the suspension, I know he’s a very loyal man.”
Attridge said Sargeant worked as an industrial firefighter at a local factory and became a member of Connah’s Quay town council as his political career began.
Superintendent Mark Pierce of North Wales Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious and the matter has been referred to HM Coroner.
“Next of kin have been informed and police are supporting the family,” he said.
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