FIRST MINISTER MORGAN HAS ARTERY OP

The Welsh First Minister was taken to hospital by ambulance on Sunday night after feeling unwell at home.

An Assembly Government spokesman said it was not known how much longer Mr Morgan would spend in hospital, but Business Minister Jane Hutt will stand in for him at his weekly questions session in the Assembly.

Mr Morgan, 67, spent the night at Llandough Hospital.

He was later transferred to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, for an angiogram.

The test provides information about blood pressure in the heart and shows how well pumping chambers and valves are working. It can also show narrowings in the coronary arteries.

In a statement, Ms Hutt said: "The angiogram showed that two arteries were partially blocked and two stents were inserted. This is a standard surgical procedure. The First Minister was conscious throughout and is in good spirits. He has asked me to convey his sincere thanks to everyone who has wished him well over the last 24 hours and meanwhile the business of Government carries on."

Mr Morgan's wife Julie, the MP for Cardiff North, told the South Wales Echo her husband was in "terrible pain and alarmed" on Sunday night.

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said: "I have been in touch with Julie and passed on my best wishes to Rhodri for a speedy recovery.

"Rhodri is a remarkably robust and resilient person and I'm sure he will bounce back to full public life sooner rather than later."