The meeting at Westminster was addressed by the new Welsh Secretary Alun Michael, now under increasing pressure to stand as prospective first secretary of the Welsh Assembly.

Alun Michael: Could now stand

The meeting on Tuesday follows the personal statement to the Commons by Mr Davies who resigned from the cabinet and as Labour's candidate for the leader of the new assembly last week.

Mr Davies, MP for Caerphilly, made his decision following "a serious lapse of judgement" on Clapham Common last Monday night.

A man has been charged following last week's incident in south London.

Labour party chiefs have decided to re-open the selection process for a fortnight to choose Mr Davies' successor.

They have set up a special "task force" to consider and recommend one of four options for how the new leader would be chosen "as a matter of urgency".

The move is expected to clear the way for the selection of Mr Michael as the party's candidate for the job of Wales' first "prime minister".

However, supporters of Cardiff West MP Rhodri Morgan, the only confirmed leadership contender, warned any moves by Labour headquarters to impose their favoured candidate could damage the party.

Rhodri Morgan: Topped a poll

Dr John Marek, MP for Wrexham, who is backing Mr Morgan, said: "Anybody parachuted in by the Labour leadership will inevitably be seen as a poodle to the leadership, and their commitment will not be to the National Assembly."

Mr Morgan was defeated by Mr Davies for the position in September but he gained a lot of backing from grassroots members and has topped a NOP poll for Welsh television channel S4C.

The poll, which questioned, nearly 700 electors by telephone, had Mr Morgan in the lead with 31% support compared to only 5% for Mr Michael should he decide to stand.

Conservatives have claimed the decision to re-open the candidates' list is a ruthless Blairite stitch-up to prevent Mr Morgan becoming leader.

Nick Bourne, chief spokesman for the Welsh Conservatives, said: "Clearly these are matters for the Labour party to decide, but the general view in Wales will be that this is a cynical attempt by Tony Blair to interfere with the decision of who should lead the Labour group in the Assembly."