Welsh government minister resigns after being suspended over 'shocking and distressing' allegations

Mr Sargeant said the details of the allegations had not been disclosed to him

Mr Sargeant said he has not been informed what the allegations against him are

A senior Labour figure has resigned from his role in the Welsh government after being told of "shocking and distressing" allegations against him.

Carl Sargeant said he had resigned as cabinet secretary for communities and children in the Welsh Government and said he wanted an independent investigation "to allow me to clear my name".

But a spokesman for First Minister Carwyn Jones said Mr Sargeant had been "removed" from the Cabinet.

Mr Sargeant said in a statement: "I met with the First Minister today and he informed me allegations had been made about my personal conduct, which was shocking and distressing to me.

"The details of the allegations have yet to be disclosed to me."

He said that "given the nature of the allegations", he agreed with the First Minister that he was right he "stands aside" from cabinet.

He added: "I look forward to returning to Government once my name has been cleared."

A Welsh Labour spokesman said: "Carl Sargeant has been suspended from party membership, and therefore the Labour whip in the National Assembly for Wales, while an investigation into allegations received takes place."

The suspension happened shortly before the First Minister was expected to embark on a cabinet reshuffle.

A spokesman for the First Minister said: "Following allegations, received in the last few days, about Carl Sargeant's conduct, the First Minister has removed him from the Cabinet and has asked Welsh Labour to launch a full investigation."

Sargeant was first elected to the Welsh assembly in 2003. In December 2009 he was made minister for social justice and local government in Jones’s first cabinet. He became cabinet secretary for communities and children in May last year.