Former Welsh Government minister Carl Sargeant, who was sacked last week over allegations of improper conduct, has been found dead.
North Wales Police said they were called to an address in Connah’s Quay on Deeside this morning, Tuesday, November 7.
Mr Sargeant was sacked as Communities and Children’s Secretary on Friday last week and was suspended from the Labour party after allegations about his personal conduct involving women were made.
First Minister Carwyn 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.”
Assembly business has been suspended today as a mark of respect.
Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales, Elin Jones AM 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.”
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 on the day he was sacked, Mr Sargeant said the accusations against him were 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.”
Mr Sargeant was married and had two children.
People must remember its innocent until proved guilty. Sadly in today society its guilty until proven innocent. In this circumstance a man lost his life. To often in todays world mangers jump to conclusions before knowing the full facts
Yes true, it is wholly wrong and unacceptable to sack a person from their job solely on the strength of what somebody says may have occurred sometime in the past, Mr Sargeant and his family have been poorly treated and badly let down by those he so faithfully served.
Yes it is supposed to be innocent until proved guilty – the Police wouldn’t be able to take a person to court without any evidence so it’s time the Government and all employers were forced ( by introduction of appropriate legislation ) that they must first find evidence before sacking staff.
This is not just happening in Government circles – it is happening on a daily basis to employees throughout the country
Mental Health charities see too many of these cases – how many more lives must be lost before this issue is dealt with properly ?