 Peter Law explains his decision at a news conference in Ebbw Vale |
A brain tumour has forced Labour Welsh assembly member Peter Law to abandon his threat to stand against his party at the general election. Mr Law, 56, collapsed on Sunday, hours before he was due to announce he hoped to become independent Blaenau Gwent MP.
In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, he pulled out of the race. He left an impromptu news conference to go to hospital for immediate treatment.
Labour announced he would not now be automatically expelled from the party.
The sudden news about Mr Law's health shocked fellow politicians, who had been expecting him to take on his party in its safest Welsh seat.
 |  Peter has now announced that he will not be standing in Blaenau Gwent after all, therefore the reasons behind his self-exclusion no longer stand |
Before his condition was known, Labour said he would lose his party membership because anyone who stood against an official candidate "expelled themselves". But on Monday afternoon Labour said the "door is open" for him to remain in the party.
A Labour spokesperson said of the "very sad news" that "the important thing now is that Peter has every opportunity to get well.
"Yesterday we explained that any member who declares they will stand against an official Labour candidate automatically expels themselves from membership of the Labour Party," said a Labour spokesperson.
 The Blaenau Gwent AM is given best wishes as he leaves his office |
"Peter has now announced that he will not be standing in Blaenau Gwent after all, therefore the reasons behind his self-exclusion no longer stand. The door is open for Peter to resume his role in the Labour Party". Mr Law, the AM for Blaenau Gwent since the assembly was founded in 1999, is an outspoken opponent of the all-women shortlist system used to pick Maggie Jones, the official Labour candidate for the election.
He would have formally announced his candidature on Monday, the day before the prime minister is expected to announce the general election will be on 5 May.
'A worthy opponent'
But Mr Law collapsed on Sunday morning and was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny. Subsequent tests showed he had a brain tumour which needed immediate treatment.
On Monday he left a news conference with his wife and family to go to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, for a biopsy. Labour holds 30 of the 60 assembly seats. If Mr Law had been expelled, it would have meant First Minister Rhodri Morgan leading a minority government in Cardiff Bay.
Plaid Cymru assembly group leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "I wish to send my best wishes to Peter Law and his family.
"I'm sure I speak on behalf of all his colleagues in the National Assembly for Wales when I say I have enjoyed working with him over the last six years."
Nick Bourne, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: "This is truly awful news. Our thoughts are with Peter and his family at this difficult time.
 More than 40 protesters picketed the Labour shortlist meeting |
"I have always respected Peter as both an individual and as a politician. We wish him well for a full and speedy recovery." Mr Law, who was born in Abergavenny, joined Labour in 1963 and served on Blaenau Gwent Council for many years, becoming mayor in 1988-9.
He led the local group campaigning for the assembly to be set up, and stood down as a councillor to stand as the AM.
A public relations adviser and former chair of Gwent NHS Trust, he was a member of the assembly's first cabinet as environment secretary.
But he lost his job as an assembly cabinet minister when Labour formed a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, and he later threatened to challenge First Minister Rhodri Morgan for the leadership of the Welsh party.
Labour argues that special measures are needed to correct the historic imbalance in the number of women MPs, particularly from Wales.
In 2001, sitting MP Llew Smith, who is standing down at this election, had a 19,000-plus majority and 72% of the vote.
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