A GROUP campaigning for something in memory of a former Assembly Member will not give up after a recent setback.

A request was made for a memorial in the Senedd for former Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant who took his own life in 2017, just days after he was sacked as a Welsh Government Minister.

It was requested last year that a plaque could be placed in the former Assembly Member's memory.

However, the Assembly Commission said it only considers requests for AMs who have died at least ten years prior.

A meeting was held by the Commission - consisting of the Presiding Officer and four other AMs nominated by the main political parties - in which this request was discussed, but then ruled out.

Mr Sargeant's close friend said those who want a memorial in Cardiff 'have not' and 'will not' give up.

Commenting on the decision Daran Hill, a close friend of the late Mr Sargeant who chaired the launch meeting of the campaign for a memorial, said: “The Assembly Commission has a policy on memorials which I believe is out of step with the wishes of Assembly Members.

“In this Assembly, two members have died in awfully tragic circumstances, Carl and Steffan Lewis, one of the youngest members. I think that proper memorials will help people get closure and will be appropriate reflections of two well-loved politicians.”

A spokesperson on behalf of the Assembly Commission said: “The Assembly held a special plenary meeting where Members paid tribute to Carl Sargeant in the presence of his family.

“In February 2019, the Commission endorsed a policy to allow for a period of 10 years before a consideration of a permanent memorial for any Member.

“This is to ensure that a sufficient period of time has elapsed for the Commission, at the time, to reach an objective decision on the merits of every case. The policy is necessary to provide clarity and consistency.”

In Flintshire, Deeside resident Lynne Chick told the Leader that the local community is requesting a memorial be held and an appropriate lasting memorial be placed locally for Mr Sargeant, adding: "Our community has spoken and should be heard."

Cllr Bernie Attridge confirmed a local memorial will soon be placed at Wepre Park as a memorial bench as Mr Sargeant was the President of the FC Nomads.