CONCERNS have been raised over delays to an independent inquiry into the sacking of the late minister Carl Sargeant.

Neil Hudgell, who represents the family of Mr Sargeant, has written a letter to the QC appointed to investigate the sacking and handling of allegations made against the assembly member before his death last year.

In the letter, to Paul Bowen QC, Mr Hudgell expresses ‘very real concerns’ about delays and asks for an explanation.

Mr Hudgel wrote: “The inescapable fact here is that someone sadly has lost their life, a much loved family member, and due process needs to be followed expeditiously to enable those closest to him to try and find some closure.”

The QC’s inquiry will examine First Minister Carwyn Jones’s handling of allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against Mr Sargeant.

Responding to the letter, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, said: “A man has lost his life in tragic circumstances, and there is a responsibility on everyone involved in this process to get things moving so that the family can find the answers they need to find peace with what has happened.”

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Government was contacted for a comment.