"I'LL do it for Peter." Those were the words of Peter Law's election agent, Dai Davies, who says he would have his late friend's blessing to fight for the people of Blaenau Gwent.

Mr Law, the constituency's AM and MP, died yesterday aged 58, after suffering from a brain tumour. He quit the Labour party last year after a row over an all-women shortlist. He stood as an Independent at the General Election, overturning Labour's 19,000 majority to win its safest Welsh seat.

Mr Davies, Labour's former constituency secretary, told the Argus: "Undoubtedly I think Peter would want me to stand. I'm confident I'd have his support."

He said he would be proud to fight in Mr Law's memory after the Labour rebel declared him a worthy successor.

Mr Davies, 46, a former steelworker, said: "To follow in his footsteps, in either Parliament or Assembly, would be a dream come true."

Mr Davies and the 80-strong Blaenau Gwent People's Voice group will decide in the coming days who should stand where. No announcement is expected before Mr Law's funeral on May 4.

Mr Davies attacked government whips said to have been pressing for an early by-election within hours of Mr Law's death.

The Assembly's presiding officer, Dafydd Ellis Thomas, must set a date for the contest within three months but Labour are believed to want it held on May 25. Labour's parliamentary candidate will be picked from an open list.

Because of the way party politics have been conducted and continue to be, "an independent voice is needed," he said.

"This is promoting Peter's beliefs and the best tribute we can make to him. This