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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/27/welsh-first-minister-carwyn-jones-furious-when-carl-sargeant-went-public-over-sacking
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| Welsh first minister 'furious' when Carl Sargeant went public over sacking | Welsh first minister 'furious' when Carl Sargeant went public over sacking |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Welsh first minister was “furious” when a senior politician he had sacked amid allegations of sexual misconduct went public about his dismissal, an inquest heard. | The Welsh first minister was “furious” when a senior politician he had sacked amid allegations of sexual misconduct went public about his dismissal, an inquest heard. |
| Carl Sargeant was found hanged at his family home in north Wales four days after he was sacked as a cabinet secretary by the first minister, Carwyn Jones. | |
| It has been claimed during Sargeant’s inquest that Jones “fuelled the despair” of his colleague and friend by giving television interviews about his case the day before he died. | It has been claimed during Sargeant’s inquest that Jones “fuelled the despair” of his colleague and friend by giving television interviews about his case the day before he died. |
| On the second day of the inquest, a written statement was read out from Steve Jones, a former special adviser to the first minister. He said Sargeant, 49, texted him on the day he was dismissed and told him “bad shit” had happened. | |
| Jones said Sargeant had “quite emphatically” told him the allegations of inappropriate conduct towards women were untrue. Jones added Sargeant had informed him that the first minister had told him not to go public about his sacking. | |
| But he did go public. After Sargeant’s death, Jones said he had spoken to another Welsh government minister, Ken Skates, about the first minister’s reaction to Sargeant revealing what had happened. | But he did go public. After Sargeant’s death, Jones said he had spoken to another Welsh government minister, Ken Skates, about the first minister’s reaction to Sargeant revealing what had happened. |
| “I asked him what Carwyn Jones’ reaction was to Carl going public following his sacking,” said Steve Jones. “Ken Skates said Carwyn Jones was fucking furious.” | “I asked him what Carwyn Jones’ reaction was to Carl going public following his sacking,” said Steve Jones. “Ken Skates said Carwyn Jones was fucking furious.” |
| In his statement to the inquest, Skates said he had sensed for a number of years that Sargeant had mental health issues. He revealed that Sargeant had taken up knitting to help him relax. | |
| In emails sent to the coroner for north Wales (east and central), John Gittins, Skates disputed that he had used an expletive and said he had not actually spoken to Jones about his reaction to Sargeant going public. | In emails sent to the coroner for north Wales (east and central), John Gittins, Skates disputed that he had used an expletive and said he had not actually spoken to Jones about his reaction to Sargeant going public. |
| It also emerged on day two of the inquest that Sargeant may have made and received calls on the morning of his death using a mysterious, missing phone. | It also emerged on day two of the inquest that Sargeant may have made and received calls on the morning of his death using a mysterious, missing phone. |
| Cathryn McGahey QC, for the first minister, said there was evidence from members of Sargeant’s family that between 6am and 7am on the day of his death he made and received calls. But she said there were calls missing from the records of his three known phones. “What happened to [the missing phone]?” she asked. | Cathryn McGahey QC, for the first minister, said there was evidence from members of Sargeant’s family that between 6am and 7am on the day of his death he made and received calls. But she said there were calls missing from the records of his three known phones. “What happened to [the missing phone]?” she asked. |
| She added: “Why is somebody who has not come forward calling Mr Sargeant that early in the morning? Why is that person not willing now to come forward and say what he or she knows?” | She added: “Why is somebody who has not come forward calling Mr Sargeant that early in the morning? Why is that person not willing now to come forward and say what he or she knows?” |
| The coroner instructed his office to make more inquiries to try to establish if there was a missing phone. | The coroner instructed his office to make more inquiries to try to establish if there was a missing phone. |
| Imelda Francombe, a senior private secretary in the Welsh government, was asked if she had ever witnessed Sargeant behaving inappropriately. She replied: “Absolutely, unequivocally no.” She said she had never heard of any rumours about his behaviour. | Imelda Francombe, a senior private secretary in the Welsh government, was asked if she had ever witnessed Sargeant behaving inappropriately. She replied: “Absolutely, unequivocally no.” She said she had never heard of any rumours about his behaviour. |
| The inquest has heard that Sargeant had suffered mental health problems for the five years before his death. Senior civil servant Peter Greening, the head of the cabinet division at the Welsh government, said he was told by Francombe about Sargeant’s mental health issues when he pointed out that his diary seemed light. | The inquest has heard that Sargeant had suffered mental health problems for the five years before his death. Senior civil servant Peter Greening, the head of the cabinet division at the Welsh government, said he was told by Francombe about Sargeant’s mental health issues when he pointed out that his diary seemed light. |
| Greening said he had not pass the information on because he felt it would be a breach of confidence. | Greening said he had not pass the information on because he felt it would be a breach of confidence. |
| Sargeant’s wife, Bernie, found him hanged in the utility room of their home in Connah’s Quay, north Wales, on 7 November 2017. | Sargeant’s wife, Bernie, found him hanged in the utility room of their home in Connah’s Quay, north Wales, on 7 November 2017. |
| He had been sacked from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children. He was also suspended from the Labour party over allegations of “unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping”. | He had been sacked from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children. He was also suspended from the Labour party over allegations of “unwanted attention, inappropriate touching or groping”. |
| The first minister is due to give evidence on Wednesday. The inquest continues. | The first minister is due to give evidence on Wednesday. The inquest continues. |
| • In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org | • In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org |
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| Carwyn Jones | |
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