LONDON: UK politician Carl Sargeant was found dead on Tuesday just days after resigning over misconduct allegations as part of a wider harassment scandal embroiling parliament, police said.

Sargeant’s body was found on Tuesday at an address in Connah’s Quay in north Wales.

The force said the death of the 49-year-old was not being treated as suspicious, while the Press Association news agency said Sargeant was understood to have committed suicide.

The former Welsh government minister resigned on Nov 3 and was suspended from the Labour party after he was informed of allegations against him.

Sargeant was one of a number of British politicians to have faced allegations of misconduct in recent weeks, prompting party leaders to introduce new safeguards for parliamentary staff on Monday.

His family said he was “the glue that bound us together” and “the most kind and caring husband, father, son and friend”.

A former chemical plant worker, Sargeant was first elected to political office in 2003, rising through the ranks before being named cabinet secretary for communities and children in May 2016.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted he was “deeply shocked to hear of the terrible news about Carl Sargeant. My thoughts and profound sympathy are with his family and friends”.

The National Assembly for Wales cancelled all business at the 60-seat regional government following the announcement.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2017