Liberal Democrats Assembly Member Mick Bates was relieved of frontbench duties by the party in Wales today following allegations he assaulted a paramedic.

Lib Dems leaders in Wales were already investigating claims about Mr Bates’s behaviour after he ended up in casualty on a night out.

The Montgomeryshire AM was taken to hospital by ambulance after he fell over and split his head while drinking in Cardiff on January 20.

Media reports about his alleged subsequent behaviour sparked an internal inquiry by the party which said it took the matter “extremely seriously”.

Welsh party leader Kirsty Williams said she was trying to establish the facts and had already spoken to the AM.

She said yesterday he had apologised for the incident but her understanding was that he had been knocked unconscious and suffered serious head injuries.

Fresh allegations emerged today claiming Mr Bates had assaulted a paramedic who had come to his assistance.

As a result the party issued a brief statement this morning.

“Following a conversation between Kirsty Williams and Mick Bates they have agreed that he will be relieved of his frontbench duties and his chair of the sustainability committee whilst this matter is being investigated.

“We have informed the University Health Board and Ambulance Service that both Mick and the party will fully cooperate with any investigations.”