A LEADING Blaenau Gwent councillor says he is withdrawing his bid to be the area's next Labour candidate.

Hedley McCarthy, executive member for neighbourhood services on the council, was one of 25 people to express an interest in standing as a prospective Labour candidate before the death last wek of Independent MP Peter Law from cancer at the age of 58.

Today, Councillor McCarthy, who represents Llanhilleth ward on the council, said he had decided not to stand.

"Following discussions with family, special friends and close party colleagues, I feel that it is in the best interests of the Labour Party to select horses for courses," he said.

"Having found the posturing of David Davies (Monmouth MP) and the Reverend Geoff Waggett to be in extremely bad taste I realised that a by-election in these circumstances would not suit my style; my politics are about a two-way commitment to both the people I represent and the party which is dear to me.

"I am not on an 'ego trip' like some politicians and I have always supported whoever is selected as the official Labour candidate, I will be doing so in the forthcoming elections."

Councillor McCarthy said he still had a job to do on the council and he remained totally committed to all residents.

Mr Waggett, the rector of Ebbw Vale who will conduct Mr Law's funeral, said yesterday he was turning his back on Labour and attacked the government as containing "elements of dishonesty and immorality".

He also insisted Mr Law had told him he had been offered a peerage not to stand in the 2005 general election - something Labour denies.

Other hopefuls on the Labour list included Keren Bender, a trade union activist from Ebbw Vale; former Monmouth MP Huw Edwards; Newport councillors Mark Whitcutt and Deborah Wilcox; and Councillor Mike Smith, of Caldicot.

Councillor Wilcox said she had put her name forward before Mr Law's death but would still stand.

"It's an extremely difficult situation for all concerned," said Mrs Wilcox, who once taught in Nantyglo school.

Councillor Smith said: "I have represented people at local government level for 11 years, my members (Fire Brigades Union) at an all Wales level for nearly 20 years and now feel I would like to represent the people of Blaenau Gwent in Parliament."