07.11.17
Sacked Welsh communities secretary found dead at home
Former Welsh communities secretary and Labour minister, Carl Sargeant, has been found dead this morning.
North Wales Police have confirmed that Sargeant was found dead at his home at Connah’s Quay earlier today.
Sargeant, 49, this week left his role as Wales’ cabinet secretary for communities and children following allegations about his “personal conduct.”
The police have said that they are not treating his death as suspicious, and that it has now been referred to HM Coroner. It is thought that Sargeant took his own life.
Elin Jones, presiding officer of the National Assembly for Wales, 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.”
Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, also extended his sympathy to the minister’s family: “I’m deeply shocked to hear of the terrible news about Carl Sargeant.
“My thoughts and profound sympathy are with his family and friends.”
A statement from Sargeant’s family also said they were “devastated beyond words” and that he was the “glue that bounded us together.”
Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones also added: “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.”
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become a PSE columnist? If so, click here.