Labour announce publisher as candidate for Caerphilly by-election

Richard Tunnicliffe runs a children's publishing company with his wife

Labour has selected a Caerphilly-based children's publisher to stand for the party in October's Senedd by-election.

Financial analyst Richard Tunnicliffe is the second candidate to be announced by a major party for the poll, triggered by the death of Labour's Hefin David in August.

Tunnicliffe said the late Member of the Senedd (MS) always "looked for the best in others" and said he wanted to take David's "legacy forward".

The election takes place on 23 October.

Plaid Cymru has announced former council leader Lindsay Whittle as its candidate. Reform is expected to say who will stand for the party next week.

The Conservatives are in process of finding a candidate.

Labour's announcement followed a meeting of the local party on Saturday to hear from shortlisted candidates.

The party has held the seat since the opening of the Senedd in 1999.

Tunnicliffe runs Rily Publications with his wife. The couple live in Caerphilly with their three sons. Labour said he joined the party at the age of 15 in 1988.

He said: "In Hefin, we have lost someone in the prime of their life, someone who was a much valued and a widely respected member of our community, even before he was our MS.

"He was a man who always looked for the best in others and for what they could do, not what they couldn't, and he encouraged, supported and empowered people.

"He had a belief in me that I initially didn't have, and it is with a heavy heart that I now want to repay that faith and take his legacy forward."