Second Labour member 'dies unexpectedly amid misconduct investigation'

Party confirms 'sudden' death and offers 'thoughts and deepest sympathies' to family

(Getty)

A second member of the Labour Party has died “unexpectedly” while under investigation for alleged misconduct, it has been reported.

The unnamed man, said to be in his early 30s, died suddenly last week after he was reportedly suspended from his role at Labour headquarters and from the party.

The misconduct claims related to digital manipulation of pornographic images, The Sunday Times reported a source as saying.

A Labour spokesman said: “A member of Labour party staff has died suddenly and unexpectedly.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and colleagues, whose privacy must be respected.

“We will not be commenting further at this time.”

It follows the death a fortnight ago of Carl Sargeant, a Labour member of the Welsh Assembly and cabinet secretary for children and communities in the devolved government.

Mr Sargeant is believed to have taken his own life after being suspended by the party following complaints from a number of women over alleged improper behaviour.

The party faced criticism over its handling of the case with members of Mr Sargeant’s family claiming he was not given the opportunity to defend himself following the allegations.

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones called in independent investigators to examine the circumstances which led up to Mr Sargeant’s suspension.

The man who died last week was a member of Labour’s team at the party’s headquarters in Victoria in Central London. His family has not yet spoken publicly about the death.

According to The Sunday Times, staff were told in the strongest terms possible not to discuss the death with anyone.

The inquiry into the man’s alleged behaviour had only just begun and no conclusions had been reached, a party source said.

“The person was arrested last week for porn-related allegations. An inquiry was in its early stages. No facts had been found and nor was there any finding of guilt,” they told the paper.

Both main parties have been caught up in the Westminster scandal which swept the politics world following the allegations against Hollywood director Harvey Weinstein.

The Weinstein allegations unleashed a tidal wave of complaints from women and some men working in all sectors about sexual harassment in the workplace, with multiple investigations launched.

Labour activist Bex Bailey said she was discouraged from going public with rape allegations against a senior member by party officials.

The party has since brought in a senior QC to investigate Ms Bailey’s complaint following criticism that it tried to sweep the matter under the carpet.

Conservative MPs have also been accused of sexual misconduct – with some complaining of a “witch hunt“.