David Clelland will remain in his post as an assistant whip despite the relationship, Downing Street confirmed on Thursday.

There was no question of Mr Clelland resigning his position as one of seven assistant whips because his relationship was a "purely personal question", a government spokesman said.

'Painful experience'

An initial statement by Mr Clelland said: "This has been a very painful experience for us all and we now need some time to settle down and learn to adjust to our new situation."

He said it was a "very personal and very private matter".

Ron Davies resigned earlier this week

The 55-year-old MP for Newcastle Tyne Bridge has appealed for the media to allow himself, his wife Maureen and the family of his secretary, Brenda Graham, "some space".

The news comes in a week when Prime Minister Tony Blair has already seen the resignation from the cabinet of Welsh Secretary Ron Davies who was allegedly robbed after meeting a stranger on Clapham Common.

A later statement by Mr Clelland read: "There is a relationship between my secretary, Brenda Graham, and I which our respective partners are now aware of.

"This is a private and personal matter which has caused a great deal of pain to both families and we would appeal to the media to give both families some space to deal with the situation and sort out the rest of our lives."

Mr Clelland has been the MP for the constituency, which spans Newcastle and Gateshead, for the past 13 years, and has a majority of 22,906.

A former leader of Gateshead Council, he won the seat at a by-election in 1985 caused by the death of sitting MP Harry Cowans.