The son of the late Welsh Assembly member Carl Sargeant has been chosen as Labour’s candidate to fight for the seat left vacant by his father’s death.
Jack Sargeant, 23, said that he would fight to represent local people in Alyn and Deeside “in the proud tradition of my father”.
And he vowed to find out the truth behind his father’s death in an apparent suicide last November at a time when Mr Sargeant Senior was suspended from Welsh Labour over unspecified allegations about his personal conduct.
Carl Sargeant’s wife Bernie and their son Jack, both centre, leave St Mark’s Church in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, following his funeral service (Peter Byrne/PA)
Speaking after his selection as Labour candidate, Jack Sargeant said: “I am humbled and honoured to have been selected as Labour’s candidate to contest the Alyn and Deeside by-election on Tuesday February 6. I would like to thank local Labour Party members for the faith they have placed in me.”
He added: “I will be standing on a platform of being a powerful voice for local people in the proud tradition of my father. I will also be seeking justice for him – getting to the truth about the chain of events that led to his premature death.
“From tomorrow I will be out and about on the campaign trail right across the constituency, listening to local concerns about the economy, health and education.
“If elected, I promise to champion North Wales’ interests on all these issues.
“Whilst friends from the wider Labour family across Britain will be welcome to visit and campaign alongside us to secure victory, I want to emphasise this will be a locally-run campaign.
“I take nothing for granted in this by-election. But I believe my Labour values and my commitment to work tirelessly to ensure those values deliver for local people can win through on 6 February.”
Carl Sargeant, 49, was found dead at his home on November 7, four days after being removed from his role as cabinet secretary for communities and children while facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour.