Former Welsh Labour minister Carl Sargeant dies two days after dismissal over allegations about 'personal conduct'

Former Welsh Labour minister Carl Sargeant has been found dead two days after being sacked from the party after allegations were made about his ‘personal conduct’.

Mr Sargeant, who is understood to have taken his own life, was a “much loved husband, father and friend”, a statement released by the family said.

The 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.

“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.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the death was “terrible and deeply shocking news”.

A spokeswoman for North Wales Police said: “We are investigating an incident at an address in Connah’s Quay.

“There are no further details available at present. We will provide an update in due course.”

In a statement released last week, Mr Sargeant described the accusations made against him as ‘shocking and distressing’.

He said: ‘I met with the First Minister today and he informed me that allegations had been made about my personal conduct, which was shocking and distressing to me.

‘The details of the allegations have yet to be disclosed to me.

‘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 Welsh Assembly’s presiding officer Elin Jones said the rest of the day’s business in Cardiff Bay had been cancelled.

She said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Carl Sargeant AM. He served the people of Alyn and Deeside with pride and determination and he made an enormous contribution to the development of this democratic institution.

“As a mark of respect to Carl, there will be no Assembly business today. We will all want to gather our thoughts before paying proper tribute to him over the coming days.

“On behalf of all the members and those who work at the National Assembly for Wales, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to his family and colleagues.”