A Welsh politician hanged himself days after being accused of touching and groping women, an inquest has heard.

Wales Assembly Member Carl Sargeant, 49, was summoned to Cardiff and fired from his job as cabinet secretary for communities and children by First Minister Carwyn Jones after the “bombshell” sex claims.

The father-of-two was found hanged by his wife Bernadette at his home in Connah’s Quay, North Wales, four days later on November 7 last year.

His family have been critical over the way his sacking was handled.

Carl Sargeant inquest
Carl Sargeant’s son Jack and wife Bernadette (Andy Kelvin/PA)

On the fourth day of the inquest into his death, held at Ruthin County Hall, details were given for the first time of the women’s claims against Mr Sargeant.

A letter was read from Carwyn Jones to Labour Party officials in Wales, to put in motion an investigation and Mr Sargeant’s suspension from the Labour Party.

The letter read: “In the last few days three women have come forward. The nature of the complaints relate to unwanted attention, inappropriate touching and groping.”

The inquest has heard Mr Sargeant was never told the exact nature of the allegations, or who is accusers were.

And a friend told the hearing he felt “besieged”, with “no one in the Labour Party taking his calls” and he “did not trust” them, following his sacking.

His friend David Taylor told the inquest, Mr Sargeant also complained to him that BBC Wales had been “banging on his door” and the First Minister was “trying to destroy my reputation”.

None of the three women have been identified and exact details of their complaints have not been given, arising out of incidents in 2016 and 2017.

The First Minister decided to dismiss Mr Sargeant after one of the woman made a formal complaint in writing and Mr Sargeant was called to Cardiff to be sacked during a planned government re-shuffle.

Carl Sargeant inquest
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones arrives to give evidence at the inquest (Andy Kelvin/PA)

Calvin Williams, a driver for Welsh government ministers, said he drove Mr Sargeant back to the train station after he was sacked and asked him if he was “OK”.

Mr Williams said: “He said, ‘No.’ He made a throat-cut gesture.”

Seconds later after a phone call, Mr Sargeant asked Mr Williams to drop him off at the Hilton Hotel instead.

After they arrived at the hotel, Mr Williams asked the politician if he was “pulling my leg” about being sacked by Mr Jones.

Mr Williams said: “He said ‘No. I’m gone’. I said ‘Why would he do that?’

Mr Sargeant replied: “It’s OK. It’s complicated. It’s my own fault. I have brought it on myself.”

Mr Williams then shook the politician’s hand as they parted and asked him if he was going to be OK.

Mr Sargeant replied: “Yes. Just need some time to myself.”

Daran Hill, a political consultant and friend, told the hearing: “He seemed to me he was sensing some sort of conspiracy or something coming to an end.

“I think he felt besieged and powerless.”

The hearing continues with legal submissions before more evidence tomorrow morning from Mr Sargeant’s wife and son.