TRIBUTES have continued to pour in for ex-Welsh Government minister Carl Sargeant, who died on Tuesday.

The former communities and children secretary was fired from the cabinet last week after allegations emerged about his behaviour with women.

He was found dead at his house in Flintshire at 11.30am on November 7.

Newport East AM John Griffiths, who served alongside Mr Sargeant since he became Alyn and Deeside AM in 2003, said he was “in a state of shock”.

“Carl was a good friend of mine ever since he came to the Assembly,” he said. “He was very much loved at the assembly, respected across the parties and loved by his colleagues.”

He added: “He was such a character, always cheerful and joking and he always had time for you.”

Questions have been raised about the way Welsh Labour and Carwyn Jones handled Mr Sargeant’s dismissal from the cabinet.

Speaking last week the married father-of-two, who was 49, said the allegations against him, which were reportedly not being investigated by police, were “shocking and distressing” and called for an “urgent independent investigation”.

But he had reportedly not been told the details of the accusations, when he died.

Writing on Twitter Newport West AM Jayne Bryant said she was “deeply shocked and saddened”, while former Newport City Council leader Bob Bright called him “a good friend to the city of Newport”.

Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay said he was “shocked and deeply saddened” while South Wales East AM Mark Reckless said he “greatly admired and respected” the former minister.

Mohammad Asghar, who also represents South Wales East, said he was “deeply saddened”, while Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds said he was “shocked” and leader of Newport’s Conservative group Cllr Matthew Evans called him “straight talking and someone you could do business with”.

Wales’ future generations commissioner Sophie Howe, who described Mr Sargeant and his wife Bernie as “dear friends”, also paid tribute to the ex-minister, calling him “one of the kindest men I know”.

“He had a wicked sense of humour and refused to confirm to the perception of a stuffy politician, he wasn’t, and that’s why people loved him,” she said.

"As one of few ministers without a university degree, he showed himself to be one of the most intelligent and skilled at handling and resolving difficult issues as well as developing progressive policies, all of which were founded from his working-class background and a genuine interest in people and what mattered to them."

Meanwhile Wales’ education secretary Kirsty Williams said the former minister would be “sorely missed” and Ukip’s Welsh leader Neil Hamilton said he was “shocked and horrified” by the news.

And former first secretary of Wales Alun Michael said he was “absolutely gutted”, saying Mr Sargeant would be “deeply missed”.

Calling the Labour AM "one of our most vibrant characters", senior Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas said there was a sense of "immense sadness" in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson also added his voice to tributes, calling Mr Sargeant “a powerful voice for working people and Wales”.

Lifelong friend and deputy leader of Flintshire County Council Cllr Bernie Attridge said he was "absolutely distraught".

"He was an excellent constituent Assembly Member," he said.

"Nothing was too much trouble for him."

And Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami, who shared an office with Mr Sargeant, said: “I will miss him very much”.

Mr Sargeant worked at a north Wales chemical plant before entering the world of politics, and held a number of ministerial roles in the Welsh Government during his 14-year career.

Police have said his death is not being treated as suspicious.

An inquest will be held at a date to be confirmed.