Dr Marek says he wants to give the electorate 'a real choice'

The Wrexham AM announced his decision on Friday, following his deselection earlier this month by local party members as their candidate.

Dr Marek said he would not resign from the Labour Party, but would wait until he is expelled.

He had alleged a "dirty tricks" campaign, which he said prompted Wrexham party members to drop him from the election line-up after 20 years in politics.

He lost a subsequent appeal, which he labelled a "whitewash".

The local party members had expressed discontent with Dr Marek amid claims of "disloyalty" over the AM's criticism of the Labour-run Wrexham council.

He had also angered members of the Wales Labour Party by writing to the Communications Workers' Union suggesting they should not give the party money if they did not like its policies.

Dr Marek also upset Labour by standing against the party's official candidate to become the deputy presiding officer in the assembly.

His successor as Wrexham Labour candidate is his ex-secretary Lesley Griffiths, who said on Friday that Dr Marek should have accepted the Labour Party's decision.

I'll be facing expulsion, I don't think there's any doubt about that because the rules of the party are very clear Dr John Marek

"I am very disappointed he's chosen to stand and not accept the democratic choice of the Wrexham Labour Party members who have worked so hard for him in the past," she said.

Dr Marek was elected MP for Wrexham in 1983 and held the seat until 2001, when he stood down to pursue a career in the Welsh Assembly which he was elected to in 1999.

Campaign funds

He says it has been a difficult time for him.

"I'll be facing expulsion, I don't think there's any doubt about that because the rules of the party are very clear," he said.

"I think the more important issue was that if I didn't stand as an Independent then the Labour council group that organised this conspiracy would in all probability succeed.

"I want to give Wrexham people a real choice and they will have that on 1 May."

He added: "My principles have always been the same and I stand where I am.

"I have had many hundreds of phone calls and emails of support, I believe Wrexham people will give me their backing."

Dr Marek will fund his election campaign privately.