UK politician found dead after sexual misconduct claims

UK politician Carl Sargeant has been found dead just days after resigning over sexual misconduct allegations as part of a wider harassment scandal embroiling parliament, local police say.

Sargeant’s body was found on Tuesday morning at an address in Connah’s Quay in north Wales. Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious, while the Press Association news agency reports Sargeant was understood to have committed suicide.

The former Welsh government minister resigned on November 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.

— with AFP