The Welsh first minister decided to sack a cabinet secretary after three women accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviour without giving him the chance to contest the claims, an inquest has heard.

First minister Carwyn Jones had been thinking of offering his colleague and friend Carl Sargeant the important job of leader of the house until allegations from two of the women emerged.

Jones made the decision to sack Sargeant as soon as one of the women put the complaint in writing and told Sargeant during a 10-minute meeting that he was being dismissed. Sargeant, 49, who had suffered mental health problems for the five years before his death, was found hanged at his home in Connah’s Quay, north Wales four days after he was sacked.

On day two of the inquest into Sargeant’s death, Jones’s senior special adviser, Matt Greenhough, described him as friendly and gregarious, the life and soul of social gatherings. He said that in 2016 he became aware that the first minister had received an anonymous letter claiming: “Carl is not fit to be around women.”

Greenhough also heard of an alleged incident involving a woman identified in the inquest as Miss C said to have taken place in the summer of 2016.

Though the “rumour mill” churned around Sargeant, by the autumn of 2017 the first minister was discussing the possibility of giving him the leader of the house post, the inquest heard.

On 23 October 2017, Greenhough testified that the former general secretary of Welsh Labour, David Hagendyk, phoned him to tell him that two women, Miss A and Miss B, had made allegations about Sargeant. Greenhough spoke to the women about the alleged incidents, which allegedly took place in the summer of 2017. He also spoke to Miss C. No details of the nature of the allegations have been given.

Asked by the coroner for north Wales (east and central), John Gittins, if any attempt was made to hear Sargeant’s side which he said might have been a “sensible” approach – and “natural justice”. Greenhough replied: “No.”

Greenhough said the decision to sack Sargeant was made on 1 November 2017 after Miss A provided a written statement.

Sargeant was called in to see Jones on 3 November. Greenhough said Jones told Sargeant that allegations about his conduct had been made. “Carl was upset but calm,” said Greenhough. “Carl asked who had made the allegation and what they were.” Jones told him the complainants came forward on the condition of anonymity. “He [Carl] shook his head and said he didn’t recognise what he was being told.”

Asked by the coroner if there had been anything “touchy and feely” in the meeting, Greenhough said it was professional.

Leslie Thomas QC, for Sargeant’s widow, Bernie, and his children, suggested that Greenhough may have pressured the complainants. The coroner intervened and he did not answer the question.

Earlier, Cathryn McGahey QC, for the first minister, said there was evidence from members of Sargeant’s family that between 6am and 7am on the day of his death he made and received calls. But she said there were calls missing from the records of his three known phones and said it was possible there was a missing fourth phone.

The coroner instructed his office to make more inquiries to try to establish if there was a missing phone.

The inquest continues.

• In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org







