This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

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

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Welsh first minister 'furious' when Carl Sargeant went public over sacking Welsh first minister sacked politician 'without giving him chance to contest claim'
(about 4 hours 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 decided to sack a cabinet secretary after three women accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviour without giving him the chance to contest the claims, an inquest has 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. First minister Carwyn Jones had been thinking of offering his colleague and friend Carl Sargeant the important job of leader of the house until allegations from two of the women emerged.
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. Jones made the decision to sack Sargeant as soon as one of the women put the complaint in writing and told Sargeant during a 10-minute meeting that he was being dismissed. Sargeant, 49, who had suffered mental health problems for the five years before his death, was found hanged at his home in Connah’s Quay, north Wales four days after he was sacked.
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. On day two of the inquest into Sargeant’s death, Jones’ senior special adviser, Matt Greenhough, described him as friendly and gregarious, the life and soul of social gatherings. He said that in 2016 he became aware that the first minister had received an anonymous letter claiming: “Carl is not fit to be around women.”
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. Greenhough also heard of an alleged incident involving a woman identified in the inquest as Miss C said to have taken place in the summer of 2016.
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. Though the “rumour mill” churned around Sargeant, by the autumn of 2017 the first minister was discussing the possibility of giving him the leader of the house post, the inquest heard.
“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.” On 23 October 2017, Greenhough testified that the former general secretary of Welsh Labour, David Hagendyk, phoned him to tell him that two women, Miss A and Miss B, had made allegations about Sargeant. Greenhough spoke to the women about the alleged incidents, which allegedly took place in the summer of 2017. He also spoke to Miss C. No details of the nature of the allegations have been given.
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. Asked by the coroner for north Wales (east and central), John Gittins, if any attempt was made to hear Sargeant’s side which he said might have been a “sensible” approach – and “natural justice”. Greenhough replied: “No.”
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. Greenhough said the decision to sack Sargeant was made on 1 November 2017 after Miss A provided a written statement.
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. Sargeant was called in to see Jones on 3 November. Greenhough said Jones told Sargeant that allegations about his conduct had been made. “Carl was upset but calm,” said Greenhough. “Carl asked who had made the allegation and what they were.” Jones told him the complainants came forward on the condition of anonymity. “He [Carl] shook his head and said he didn’t recognise what he was being told.”
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. Asked by the coroner if there had been anything “touchy and feely” in the meeting, Greenhough said it was professional.
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?” Leslie Thomas QC, for Sargeant’s widow, Bernie, and his children, suggested that Greenhough may have pressured the complainants. The coroner intervened and he did not answer the question.
Earlier, 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 and said it was possible there was a missing fourth phone.
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. The inquest continues.
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.
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”.
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
Welsh politicsWelsh politics
WalesWales
Carwyn JonesCarwyn Jones
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content