Baroness Gale: Only 13 women MPs in Wales in 96 years

The Labour MP at the centre of a row over an enforced all-women shortlist to replace her says local party members should be allowed to make their own decisions.

The Cynon Valley constituency needs a replacement as Ann Clwyd retires at next year's general election.

The new candidate must be chosen from a female-only shortlist but the edict, from the Welsh Labour party, has angered some local members.

However Labour peer Baroness Gale said all-women shortlists were necessary because in Wales there had only been 13 women MPs in 96 years.