CLAIMS that former Assembly health minister Jane Hutt lost her job because Welsh Labour MPs feared for their seats due to the performance of the NHS in Wales resurfaced at an election question time event in Newport last night.

Dr Bill Morgan, Conservative candidate for Newport West, claimed six Labour MPs approached Prime Minister Tony Blair on the issue. Ms Hutt was replaced by fellow Labour AM Dr Brian Gibbons.

The alleged approach was raised during a debate over MPs' influence on Wales' devolved health agenda.

Paul Flynn, Labour's candidate for Newport West, scorned the suggestion that such a deputation took place. He said NHS waiting lists seemed to be "all we ever hear about" and claimed they were a poor measure of performance.

He also condemned Tories' handling of the issue of hospital-acquired infections, particularly MRSA, saying the party was trying to frighten patients.

Mr Flynn, Dr Morgan, Liberal Democrat candidate for Newport West Nigel Flanagan, and Plaid Cymru candidate for Newport East Mohammed Asghar, tackled questions from electors at the Institute of Welsh Affairs-organised event at the University of Wales Newport's Allt-yr-yn campus.

Mr Flanagan defended his party's plans to replace council tax with a local income tax, saying it would be councils that set the tax level, with the Inland Revenue equipped to collect it. Only one-in-four people would end up paying more, he said.

Mr Asghar said his party will fight for inward investment in Wales. He warned of the importance of making sure businesses came to Wales for the long term, not just to get established.