New cabinet post for Ron Davies

Another stage in his career after "moment of madness"

Former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies, who was the first minister to leave Tony Blair's government, has taken a post in the cabinet on Caerphilly council.

He will be in charge of regeneration and the countryside after his election as an independent councillor.

His wife Lynne Hughes was also elected to the council as a Plaid Cymru member.

The 59-year-old former Caerphilly MP and AM left Mr Blair's cabinet in 1998 after his so-called "moment of madness" on Clapham Common in London.

Mr Davies stood down as Welsh Labour leader after leaving the cabinet, dashing his hopes of becoming the first leader of the Welsh assembly in 1999.

He was elected to the assembly, but was involved in further controversy after speculation about his private life and did not contest the 2003 assembly election.

He left Labour in 2004, citing his opposition to the Iraq war.

Mr Davies told the BBC Wales News website he was excited by the challenge of the new post on Caerphilly council but he "hadn't a clue" where his political career might take him.

Cerphilly is a Plaid Cymru minority administration supported by two independent councillors and the leader is Lindsay Whittle.

"I have fought half a dozen elections against Lindsay and there has never been a cross word between us, so we will work well together," said Mr Davies.

His wife will chair the education committee.