ONE year on, the death of ex-Welsh Government minister Carl Sargeant continues to cast a very long shadow over Welsh politics.

The Alyn and Deeside AM was found dead at his home in Connor's Quay one year ago today, November 7, four days after he lost his cabinet job in a reshuffle. He had also been accused of sexual harassment - allegations he denied.

And, one year later, questions around the circumstances surrounding Mr Sargeant's death remain unanswered.

Carwyn Jones came in for heavy criticism following his Labour colleague's death, with statements made to the media about his decision to sack Mr Sargeant in the days leading up to his death being a particular concern among many.

But the first minister refused to resign, saying he believed he "did all that I could to make sure that everything was being done by the book”.

An independent QC-led inquiry into Mr Jones' actions in the days leading up to and immediately following Mr Sargeant's death was later launched, and an inquest opened and adjourned, where his provisional cause of death was recorded as hanging.

But it now seems inevitable the inquiry will conclude after Mr Jones steps down as first minister next month.

Although Mr Jones had previously said he planned to step down before the 2021 Assembly Election, his announcement in April that he would leave before the end of this year came sooner than most expected, with many speculating the toll Mr Sargeant's death took on him played a part in his decision.

Mr Sargeant's family have repeatedly questioned the terms of the inquiry, with his widow Bernadette saying in August she was concerned it would amount to a "cover up".

And in September the inquiry, led by Paul Bowen QC, was put on hold while Mr Sargeant's family sought a judicial review into its the terms, saying they should be allowed to cross-examine witnesses as part of the process.

Although this was refused by the High Court last month, the investigation team has said the investigation "remains suspended until the process of Judicial Review brought by Mrs Sargeant against the Welsh Government is fully concluded".

Questions were also raised around whether news Mr Sargeant was about to lose his job was leaked before it was announced, but an inquiry found there had been "no unauthorised sharing" of the announcement. An attempt by the Welsh Conservatives to get the report released was blocked after being voted down by Labour AMs.

Although the full inquest into Mr Sargeant's death is due to be held this month, it seems many questions will remain unanswered for some time to come.

Mr Sargeant's son Jack was elected to succeed him as Alyn and Deeside AM in a by-election in February.