| Wales Minister Peter Hain has called for a public apology from Plaid Cymru Leader Elfyn Llwyd over allegations that Mr Hain offered the late Peter Law a peerage if he agreed to quit as a candidate in the last general election.
Meanwhile it was reported this afternoon that the widow of Mr Law will stand in one of the two by-elections caused by his death.
Mr Llwyd, today apologised to the Commons for not properly notifying Mr Hain that he was planning to accuse him of offering party rebel Peter Law a peerage not to stand against Labour. But he stopped short of apologising for making the claim, which Mr Hain has branded a "preposterous lie".
But Mr Hain has written to Mr Llwyd to say:
âI am disappointed that you have not yet issued any sort of apology for accusing me of offering Peter Law a peerage. I have made absolutely clear that the accusation is a straight lie.
âIt is one thing for us to have political disagreements over matters of policy; it is quite another to make a sustained attack on my personal integrity.
âWe have served together as Members for a number of years, albeit it in different parties, and worked together closely on a variety of issues. I therefore find it difficult to understand why you would not have mentioned this. allegation to me earlier if you thought it had any substance.
âAt the very least, under the conventions of the House I would have expected you to have spoken to me about the matter before referring to me by name on the Floor. It hardly serves to improve public confidence in politics and politicians to see such lies repeated despite categorical denials, and I sincerely hope that you will soon do the right thing by accepting my denial and publicly apologising for making a false allegation.
âI look forward to hearing from you by return. â
BBC Wales reported that Mrs Trish Law will stand as an independent in her late husband's Welsh assembly seat of Blaenau Gwent on 29 June.
It is expected that the parliamentary by-election will be held on the same day, with an official announcement likely soon from the Commons.
Three parties - Labour, Tories and Lib Dems - have also named candidates for Wales' first double by-election.
Mr Law, who died last two weeks ago aged 58, was independent MP and AM for the south Wales valleys seat.
Mrs Law is backed by the Blaenau Gwent People's Voice group, which backed her late husband. The group is also backing Dai Davies, Mr Law's election agent, for the Westminster election. |
Ponterwyd