CORONER John Gittins has refused to back down over his decision not to hear evidence of two leading councillors.

Yesterday, the Leader reported John Gittins, coroner for North Wales East and Central, decided he would not need to hear evidence from four witnesses.

These were Aaron Shotton and Bernie Attridge - leader and deputy leader of Flintshire Council respectively - as well as Welsh Labour general secretary Louise Magee and Michelle Perfect, office manager for Delyn AM Hannah Blythyn.

Cathryn McGahey, representing the First Minister, said the evidence of Cllr Shotton, Ms Maghee and Cllr Perfect suggested Cllr Attridge might not have told the truth in his statement which, she said, was a serious matter.

However ,the coroner concluded he had sufficient evidence without the statements.

Yesterday evening, Ms McGahey renewed her application for the evidence of Cllrs Shotton and Attridge to be heard.

She argued that since the initial request, her comments had been reported in the national media, meaning Cllr Attridge had been publicly accused of lying and unless he gave evidence he would not have a chance to give what might be "an innocent explanation".

In making the first application she spoke about a text from Cllr Attridge to Cllr Shotton on November 1 which appeared to refer to Mr Sargeant.

According to Ms McGahey, the text stated Cllr Attridge bet Mr Sargeant was “sh***** bricks”.

She said it appeared Cllr Attridge might have had knowledge of what had made Mr Sargeant anxious.

She said: “We recognise the content of the evidence is sensitive. It is about inappropriate and alleged criminal behaviour on the part of Mr Sargeant.

“We have no wish to cause distress to Mr Sargeant’s family and we will avoid doing so.

“The key question is whether it is relevant and we submit that it clearly is.

“Mr Sargeant was removed from office because of allegations against him. He told the driver it was his own fault.

“He told his family they did not deserve adverse publicity because of his ‘acts’ and that he had failed them.

“This inquest has no evidence of what those ‘acts’ were. What we do have is evidence of is that Mr Sargeant had a history of depression.

“We respectfully submit that this is a one sided picture and if left this way would be an unfair one.”

After retiring to consider the matter, Mr Gittins said: “This has not been an easy decision for me.

"My view however is that the further matters put before me by Ms McGahey, the reasons as to why she believes it is necessary for me to reverse a decision I made yesterday and call these witnesses, does not persuade me that its necessary for the purposes of my investigation to hear from those witnesses.

”The truth of this matter remains for me that this is an inquest about Carl Sargeant.

“My decision in no way reflects a view that it was not right and proper for Ms McGahey to renew her application but for the reasons I gave yesterday and supplementary views expressed today I don’t intend to call Aaron Shotton and Bernie Attridge to give evidence at Carl Sargeant’s inquest.”

Regarding the application for disclosure of the material requested by members of the press, Mr Gittins said: “I am seeking having made a ruling to set in motion the appropriate steps which will allow me to make a determination on the media application.

“I promise I will do so as soon as I am able but not before I have all of the correct information available to me.”