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Carl Sargeant: First minister to explain handling of claims Carl Sargeant: First minister to explain handling of claims
(35 minutes later)
The first minister will meet Labour AMs to explain how he handled allegations of inappropriate behaviour against a minister who was later found dead.The first minister will meet Labour AMs to explain how he handled allegations of inappropriate behaviour against a minister who was later found dead.
Carl Sargeant, who had been suspended by Labour and sacked from Carwyn Jones's cabinet, is believed to have taken his own life on Tuesday.Carl Sargeant, who had been suspended by Labour and sacked from Carwyn Jones's cabinet, is believed to have taken his own life on Tuesday.
Mr Jones is due to make a statement following the meeting in Cardiff Bay.Mr Jones is due to make a statement following the meeting in Cardiff Bay.
The meeting follows criticism of the way Mr Sargeant was treated and his family's calls for an inquiry.The meeting follows criticism of the way Mr Sargeant was treated and his family's calls for an inquiry.
Family friend and political consultant Daran Hill visited the family on Wednesday night.Family friend and political consultant Daran Hill visited the family on Wednesday night.
He said on Twitter there was "disbelief" in Mr Sargeant's home town of Connah's Quay, Flintshire, "that the first minister is explaining his side of events to AMs without offering any explanation to the public or the devastated family".He said on Twitter there was "disbelief" in Mr Sargeant's home town of Connah's Quay, Flintshire, "that the first minister is explaining his side of events to AMs without offering any explanation to the public or the devastated family".
Mr Sargeant was sacked from his job as communities secretary last Friday, after allegations of inappropriate behaviour were raised with Mr Jones's office.Mr Sargeant was sacked from his job as communities secretary last Friday, after allegations of inappropriate behaviour were raised with Mr Jones's office.
The Alyn and Deeside AM had vowed to clear his name but said he did not know the details of the allegations.The Alyn and Deeside AM had vowed to clear his name but said he did not know the details of the allegations.
He was found dead four days later.He was found dead four days later.
A senior local government figure told BBC Wales there was a groundswell of opinion within Labour that Mr Sargeant had been badly let down by the party.A senior local government figure told BBC Wales there was a groundswell of opinion within Labour that Mr Sargeant had been badly let down by the party.
There was an expectation some action will be taken at the meeting, he said.There was an expectation some action will be taken at the meeting, he said.
The party's deputy leader Tom Watson told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme that if there are lessons to be learned from the Carl Sargeant case Labour will learn them.
He said: "Carl was a friend of mine... many of us are still in grief and shock at his loss."
He said he was not sure of the details of "who said what when and I" but added: "All I will say to you is, if there are lessons to be learned about how we apply our procedures we will learn them.
Analysis by Nick Servini, BBC Wales political editorAnalysis by Nick Servini, BBC Wales political editor
Carwyn Jones will not have faced such a difficult meeting in his political career.Carwyn Jones will not have faced such a difficult meeting in his political career.
Like all of Carl Sargeant's close friends and colleagues, he will be deeply saddened by events but he will have to convince Labour AMs the sacking was carried out in as reasonable a manner as possible under the circumstances.Like all of Carl Sargeant's close friends and colleagues, he will be deeply saddened by events but he will have to convince Labour AMs the sacking was carried out in as reasonable a manner as possible under the circumstances.
I am told some of the assembly members are prepared to give him a fair hearing but there is anger within the party, particularly within some figures in local government, about the way in which this was handled.I am told some of the assembly members are prepared to give him a fair hearing but there is anger within the party, particularly within some figures in local government, about the way in which this was handled.
There is still plenty of emotion in Welsh Labour surrounding the death of Mr Sargeant.There is still plenty of emotion in Welsh Labour surrounding the death of Mr Sargeant.
I expect the meeting on Thursday to be no different.I expect the meeting on Thursday to be no different.
'Angry''Angry'
Comments from former local government minister Leighton Andrews - and other Labour politicians both privately and publicly - have increased the pressure on Mr Jones.Comments from former local government minister Leighton Andrews - and other Labour politicians both privately and publicly - have increased the pressure on Mr Jones.
Mr Andrews, once a key ally of Carwyn Jones, said he and many others were "angry" that the first minister commented on the allegations in TV interviews on Monday.Mr Andrews, once a key ally of Carwyn Jones, said he and many others were "angry" that the first minister commented on the allegations in TV interviews on Monday.
He told BBC One's Wales Live programme: "Having passed this over on Friday to the Labour Party, on Monday the first minister is doing interviews with the BBC and I think with ITV as well in which he is elaborating on the story and commenting on the story.He told BBC One's Wales Live programme: "Having passed this over on Friday to the Labour Party, on Monday the first minister is doing interviews with the BBC and I think with ITV as well in which he is elaborating on the story and commenting on the story.
"Well, that is not due process."Well, that is not due process.
"People do not think Carl Sargeant has been treated fairly.""People do not think Carl Sargeant has been treated fairly."
Jenny Rathbone, Labour AM for Cardiff Central, said she felt Mr Sargeant "wasn't dealt with fairly".Jenny Rathbone, Labour AM for Cardiff Central, said she felt Mr Sargeant "wasn't dealt with fairly".
Mr Sargeant's family have said he was accused of "unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping", which he denied, and letters sent between his solicitor and Labour show Mr Sargeant had pushed for more specific details on the claims.Mr Sargeant's family have said he was accused of "unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping", which he denied, and letters sent between his solicitor and Labour show Mr Sargeant had pushed for more specific details on the claims.
His family said he was deprived of "natural justice" and have called for a full investigation of the way the allegations were dealt with.His family said he was deprived of "natural justice" and have called for a full investigation of the way the allegations were dealt with.
In response, a Labour Party spokesman said: "Following allegations brought to the attention of Welsh Labour by Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, an investigation was launched by the UK party.In response, a Labour Party spokesman said: "Following allegations brought to the attention of Welsh Labour by Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, an investigation was launched by the UK party.
"The Labour Party Governance and legal unit spoke with Carl Sargeant and, in line with agreed procedure, outlined the nature of the allegations that had been received and how the complaints process works.""The Labour Party Governance and legal unit spoke with Carl Sargeant and, in line with agreed procedure, outlined the nature of the allegations that had been received and how the complaints process works."