Ten students at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, have set up the Save Ron Davies Website to petition like-minded supporters of the MP for Caerphilly.

Mr Davies should remain the leader of the party in Wales to become the Welsh Assembly's first secretary next year, the site claims.

A petition has been set up in support of Ron Davies

The site urges supporters to fax the Caerphilly Labour Party constituency office, write to the Wales Labour Party in Cardiff and to also petition Downing Street by fax or post.

Post-graduate student Lisa Turnbull, 24, told BBC News Online: "We're not from any political party, we're all just behind Ron Davies to remain the leader of the Welsh Assembly.

"He's a very hard-working politician, not many people are like that, and he's done a good job.

"He practically created the Welsh Assembly and he should be its leader."

The site was set up after Mr Davies resigned from the cabinet after being robbed by a man and two accomplices he met on Clapham Common on Monday night.

Lisa, originally from Milton Keynes but who has lived in Wales for five years, has never met Mr Davies personally but has seen him at engagements.

'London bias'

She said: "I don't know what he was up to on Clapham Common, I've heard some pretty lurid explanations but I can't think of any that counterbalance all the good work he's done.

"He has been treated very unfairly. He resigned far too swiftly without the chance to take any considered advice."

The students behind the site believe there is a London bias against Mr Davies, especially in the media.

Lisa has had several positive emails from other students in Wales supporting Mr Davies.