The Welsh first minister will not attend the funeral of the Labour politician Carl Sargeant, who was found dead after being sacked as a minister amid allegations of harassment.
Carwyn Jones said he and his wife, Lisa, would have liked to attend his friend’s funeral on Friday but would respect the wishes of the family and stay away.
It is thought the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, will attend the funeral at Connah’s Quay in north Wales.
Jones has been fiercely criticised over how he handled the allegations made against Sargeant and faces two investigations. On Wednesday he issued a statement announcing he would not attend the funeral and suggesting he was following the wishes of Sargeant’s family.
Jones said: “Lisa and I would have liked to attend the funeral on Friday to pay our respects to our friend.
“However, we of course respect the wishes of the family at this time, and would hope they can celebrate Carl’s life in peace and without distraction.”
Sargeant, 49, was found dead at his home earlier this month having apparently killed himself four days after being sacked as the cabinet secretary for communities and children. It is understood that Sargeant was facing harassment allegations from three women which he strongly denied.
Jones claimed he had done everything “by the book” but subsequently agreed to launch an independent inquiry. He is to face a second investigation after a former minister and ex advisor claimed there had been bullying within his office.
Labour assembly members have blocked a Conservative motion, backed by Plaid Cymru and Ukip, that would have triggered a third probe – by the committee for the scrutiny of the first minister.
Sargeant’s family have said they want the funeral to be a day of celebration. His son, Jack Sargeant, said last week: “We continue to be inundated with so many kind messages of support from across the UK. Messages that have not only given us strength over recent days – but messages that have left us in no doubt as to the extent dad was loved and respected by those who knew him.”
He said the funeral would be a day of celebration, not mourning. “Everyone who knew dad will understand he wouldn’t want it any other way,” he said. “We ask that there be no formal suits nor black worn on this day of celebration. We want people to wear something that makes them feel happy and to come and remember dad as he was – kind generous and the life and soul of the party.”
