WYRE Forest's MP has rejected a political rival's claim that a remark made by Martin Bell has undermined his re-election prospects.

Mr Bell, known as the man in the white suit, said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that people could not be "single issue" politicians.

Dr Richard Taylor, like Mr Bell before him, was voted into Westminster on a particular platform. In Dr Taylor's case, it was health concern, while Mr Bell campaigned on an anti-sleaze ticket.

Mark Garnier, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Wyre Forest at the next general election, latched on to Mr Bell's words to say it would hit the sitting constituency MP's chances of winning another term, should he choose to stand again.

"I am sorry this has happened," said Mr Garnier, "I have got to know Richard Taylor over the last year and I both like him and respect him and this cannot be at all helpful."

He claimed the Tories had helped Dr Taylor, saying: "Our parliamentary party, realising that Richard would have a tough job on his hands, very kindly gave him one of our seats on the Health Select Committee.

"Only in this way has Richard had the chance to make his voice heard."

Dr Taylor rebuffed Mr Garnier's comments, saying: "Everybody knows that my main knowledge and expertise is in health so it's not surprising that I feel I can have most impact in that field."

He added, however, that since his election to the Commons, he had dealt with a wide range of constituents' concerns, saying: "I will take up anything. At the moment, I'm fighting desperately to get an adjournment debate on sugar growers in the district."

Other issues he had taken up on behalf of constituents included problems with sewers and flooding.