First Minister Carwyn Jones says the Welsh Assembly is facing its "darkest days" following the death of former minister Carl Sargeant
Mr Jones' statement comes after criticism of the way he dealt with "groping or touching" allegations made against Mr Sargeant
Mr Sargeant was sacked from his cabinet role and suspended by the Welsh Labour party. He was found dead four days later
That brings an end to the live coverage on a day that Carwyn Jones defended his handling of the allegations made against Carl Sargeant and resisted calls to resign as first minister.
Thank you for joining us.
You can continue following this story throughout the night by clicking on our story.
Image source, Wales News ServiceCarl Sargeant's friend says Carwyn Jones should resign
BBC Welsh Affairs editor Vaughan Roderick's analysis
Quote MessageWhen Carwyn Jones finally appeared in front of the cameras today to deliver a statement on the death of Carl Sargeant and the events that led up to it, there was an expectation that the first minister would attempt to answer at least some of the many questions that have been raised since the former secretary's death. Instead, while paying tribute to the man he described as a "true force of nature" he did little to answer the questions raised by Mr Sargeant's family and others. A reference to a possible independent inquiry seemed equivocal at best. The first minister's reference to "inaccuracies in the press" again raises more questions than answers. If reports are inaccurate - why not correct them and why refuse to answer questions from journalists who are trying their best to report the situation accurately? Carwyn Jones is human, of course, and I have no doubt that his grief and shock are genuine. That may explain why a statement which would have been perfectly apt in the hours following Mr Sargeant's death seems insufficient and vague when delivered two and half days later.
Vaughan Roderick, BBC Welsh Affairs editor
Plaid Cymru leader says 'many questions unanswered'
Quote MessageThe first minister's statement and his failure to answer questions after calling a press conference was not adequate given the gravity of this situation. Many questions remain unanswered by the first minister - a factor that will prolong the distress for all those involved. The process of addressing these questions must now commence with an independent inquiry and should be conducted in a mature, dignified and respectful manner. All of those affected by these events deserve justice, especially the family.
Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru leader
Welsh Labour tweets
Carwyn Jones backing from Lib Dem AM
Quote MessageI have worked alongside Carwyn Jones for 18 years. I have absolute confidence in him. It's been a tragic, tragic week. Carl Sargeant was a good friend of mine and he will be missed sorely. He was a fantastic assembly member and he made a significant contribution to national government. The first minister enjoys my complete and utter confidence.
Kirsty Williams, Former Welsh Liberal Democrat leader
BBC Wales Political Reporter Paul Martin tweets
Former Welsh minister calls for investigation
Quote MessageI think a number of people were expecting a definite commitment to an independent inquiry into what had happened. We weren't given clarity on that. The possibility of that was mentioned. There's a deep desire within the Labour party in Wales for an independent look at what has happened.
Leighton Andrews, Former Welsh Labour Minister on Radio 4
First Minister Carwyn Jones tweets his statement
Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies calls for independent probe
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageOur thoughts and prayers remain with Carl Sargeant's family at this very difficult time but sadly today's statement from the First Minister has left many unanswered questions and fails to provide the answers Carl's family deserve. A series of deeply alarming revelations have emerged in recent hours from a very senior former Labour minister, Leighton Andrews, which have cast a disturbing light on an endemic culture of bullying at the heart of Carwyn Jones' Welsh Labour Government. This whole tragic episode, compounded by the revelations by Leighton Andrews, has significantly undermined public confidence in the First Minister and the Labour Party and the actions taken over the last week must be fully and independently investigated at the earliest opportunity.
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies
BBC Wales' political correspondent Daniel Davies tweets
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote Message"Today we had the opportunity to come together to remember Carl. Each and every one of us in the Labour Group are still struggling to come to terms with the desperately sad loss of a much loved friend and colleague. In Carl, Wales has lost one of the most compassionate, supportive and spirited people you could wish to meet. He was a great friend to all of us here and to so many more across Wales. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Bernie, Lucy and Jack, their extended family and the wider community of which Carl was a pivotal member. As an Assembly Member and a Minister, Carl made a very significant and lasting impact. The pioneering legislation that he steered through the Assembly on Violence Against Women and Domestic Abuse, as well as his work on tackling homelessness, will continue to improve the lives of people across Wales for years to come. For that and so much more we were immensely proud to have called Carl a friend."
Statement from Welsh Labour
Carwyn Jones welcomes 'independent scrutiny' of handling of Sargeant claims
Carl Sargeant: No alternative but to sack him, Carwyn Jones says
Newspaper tribute to Carl Sargeant
Carl Sargeant's local paper have paid tribute to their AM, saying he had a "love" for Deeside and "dedicated his life to making it a better place"., external
The Alyn and Deeside AM was found dead at his home in Connah's Quay, Flintshire on Tuesday.
UKIP have called on AMs to unite to oust Carwyn Jones.
In a statement after Mr Jones addressed media today, UKIP said the First Minister had "no moral authority to continue in the position of First Minister".
UKIP had said it would call for a vote of no confidence if Mr Jones did not resign over his handling of the allegations made against Carl Sargeant, which he has defended.
Image source, PABBC Wales' Political Editor Nick Servini tweets
Carwyn Jones says he did 'everything by the book'
BBC Wales politics reporter Paul Martin tweets
Carwyn Jones said he had "no alternative" but to remove Carl Sargeant from his Welsh government post after allegations about his conduct were made.
Mr Jones said he "made sure everything was done by the book" and "welcomed any scrutiny of his actions in the future".
Quote Message"This is an awful situation for everyone. I want to talk about Carl and his family today. We're all very shocked by what happened this week. There is great hurt, anger and bewilderment. Carl was my friend. In all the years that I knew him I never had a cross word with him. For 14 years we worked together. He was a great Chief Whip and a Minister who served his country with distinction. I cannot conceive of what Bernie and the family must be going through. There are a lot of inaccuracies in the press and many of you have questions to ask about what happened last week. Everybody is grieving and it is not appropriate for me to get into the precise detail. These are matters for the future - things that will need to be properly disclosed through what should be a Coroner's Inquest. As there will in all probability be an Inquest, I and my team will of course be cooperating fully with any questions that are raised there. The family deserve to have their questions answered and if that isn't possible through the Inquest then I will endeavour to make that happen through other means. There is a legal process to go through and I am obviously acting within that. I welcome any scrutiny of my actions in the future and it is appropriate for that to be done independently. I quite properly did all that I could to make sure that everything was being done by the book. I had no alternative but to take the action that I did and I hope that people will understand that. Carl was a true force of nature - he drove through more legislation than any other Minister. Not just through force of argument, but through force of personality. Wales has lost a person of great warmth, ability and charisma. These are the darkest days any of us can remember in this institution - but they are darkest of all for the family, and we must respect their right to grieve in peace at this time."
Carwyn Jones, First Minister
