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The son of tragic Welsh Cabinet minister Carl Sargeant is hoping to to take over his father’s old seat.

Engineer Jack Sargeant, 23, is putting his name forward as the Labour candidate to contest the Alyn and Deeside by-election for a new Assembly member in February.

He said: “I want to make a difference like my dad did.”

Carl Sargeant, 49, was found hanged on November 7, four days after the married father-of-two was sacked as communities secretary by First Minister Carwyn Jones over claims of inappropriate behaviour towards women.

(Image: PA)

Mr Sargeant’s family and friends protested he did not know what allegations he was facing.

He denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name at a Labour Party inquiry – which has since been dropped.

Now Jack will enter the local Labour selection process to become the next AM.

He said: “My dad was a local lad and never lost his roots.

“That’s why people in Alyn and Deeside loved him and why we loved him.

“I grew up knowing how much he cared about his home and the people who live here and I want to carry on his legacy.

(Image: Sunday People)

“I grew up here, went to school here, got my engineering apprenticeship here at our local college and then went to the local university down the road in Wrexham.

“I know what people in Alyn and Deeside are thinking and feeling.”

The local party has made it clear they are looking for someone local to fill Carl Sargeant’s shoes and will not tolerate Labour parachuting in a candidate from outside.

Constituency party secretary Shelly Streeter said: “It’s going to be someone who is ‘Carl-like’ and can carry on the great work he did.”

Jack is a Newcastle United supporter like his sad and plays five a side football.

He added: “I’m a loyal Labour member but I’ll be my own man.

“It was an honour to meet Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn when he came to dad’s funeral.”