BLAENAU Gwent AM Peter Law was diagnosed with a brain tumour yesterday. The popular politician revealed the shock news to the Argus today - as a storm erupted over his political future.

He revealed at the weekend he was to stand in the general election as an independent and was immediately expelled from the Labour party. But today he pulled out after the devastating news.

He said: "I have had a pain in the side of my temple for two weeks and was admitted to Nevill Hall Hospital at lunch time yesterday.

"Consultants did a scan which showed a tumour on my brain and I am now waiting for a bed at a hospital in Cardiff.

"I will now not be able to stand as a candidate as intended, bearing in mind I may need an operation."

Further tests are to be carried out to see the extent of the tumour.

Mr Law confirmed he had been thrown out of the Labour party as a result of announcing he was standing as an independent.

Today he said he would remain as an AM for the next two years of his term and continue to fight for his seat as an independent at the next Assembly election.

Mr Law decided to stand against Labour in the general election in a row over the party's decision to choose Maggie Jones from an all-woman shortlist to fight the Blaenau Gwent seat.

Mr Law, 57, joined Labour in 1962 and is a former Assembly minister of environment, transport and local government, and later minister for housing, local government and regeneration, all between 1999 and 2000.

A pamphlet was circulated at the weekend inviting the public to the launch of his election campaign at Ebbw Vale Rugby Club in Station Road tomorrow.

Mr Law was heavily criticised by colleagues and the Labour party before he announced his illness.

A spokesman for Welsh Labour said its rules were clear that any member declaring himself a candidate against an official Labour candidate automatically excludes himself from membership.

Blaenau Gwent is the safest Labour seat in Wales and the fifth safest in Britain.