Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Suspended Welsh Labour minister Carl Sargeant found dead after 'personal misconduct claims' was 'thrown to the wolves'

Mr Sargeant, 49, is understood to have taken his own life just four days after he was removed from his role


Former Welsh government minister Carl Sargeant was "thrown to the wolves" after he was sacked and suspended from the Labour Party over allegations about his personal conduct, a colleague has reportedly said.

Mr Sargeant, 49, is understood to have taken his own life just four days after he was removed from his role as secretary for communities and children.
There is growing criticism from within his own party over how the situation was handled by First Minister Carwyn Jones after the allegations surfaced last week.
One Welsh Labour Assembly Member has told of "deep unease" within the party after Mr Sargeant was "humiliated" and "isolated".

Another has said that Mr Sargeant "wasn't dealt with fairly" because details of the allegations weren't revealed to him.

An anonymous Labour AM who raised concerns told the BBC that there is a suspicion that it was a political decision to remove Mr Sargeant from cabinet.
The AM said First Secretary of State Damian Green was allowed to remain in his post while under investigation over claims that he made inappropriate advances towards a woman.
The AM said Mr Sargeant had been "humiliated" and "isolated without any decision being made that he's guilty", adding: "It's hard to understand why Carl was thrown to the wolves.
"There's deep unease in the group about the way this has been handled."

Labour AM Jenny Rathbone told BBC Radio Wales that Mr Sargeant "wasn't dealt with fairly in the most basic sense".
She told how he was "devastated" after being sacked and suspended, and she wasn't aware of him receiving any form of formal pastoral care.
She added: "If allegations are made against you, you must know what they are so that you can respond to them."

There have been calls for an independent review into how the situation was handled.
Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, has suggested a review be carried out by a senior lawyer.

A spokesperson for Welsh Labour said the party would not comment in response to the criticism. Mirror Online has contacted the Welsh government for comment.
Before he died, Mr Sargeant had written on Twitter on November 3 that he had been told that allegations had been made about his personal conduct.

The married father-of-two wrote that it was "shocking and distressing to him" but the details of the allegations had not yet been disclosed at that time.
He added that he had resigned from his cabinet position so he could focus on efforts to "clear" his name, but Labour said he had been sacked.
Mr Sargeant wrote on November 3: "I have written to the General Secretary of Welsh Labour requesting an urgent independent investigation into these allegations in order to allow me to clear my name.

"Given the nature of the allegations, I agreed with the First Minister that it was right that I stand aside from cabinet today. I look forward to returning to Government once my name has been cleared."

The nature of the allegations has not been made public.
Mr Sargeant's family announced on Tuesday that the Alyn and Deeside AM had died, with police confirming they were called to a home in Connah’s Quay, North Wales, at 11.30am after a man's body was found.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious.
A family statement 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."
In a statement, Mr Jones said: “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."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the death was "terrible and deeply shocking news".
Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted: “My thoughts are with the friends and family of Carl Sargeant following his tragic death.”


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