By politics.co.uk staff

Welsh AM Mick Bates has been stripped of his chairmanship of the National Assembly committee after he allegedly verbally abused hospital staff.

Mr Bates, 62, Liberal Democrat AM for Montgomeryshire, was admitted to hospital after he fell on the street and hit his head in the early hours of the morning.

An unnamed paramedic told the BBC Mr Bates had punched him in the chest during the evening.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats issued a statement saying: “Following a conversation between Kirsty Williams [leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats] and Mick Bates they have agreed that he will be relieved of his front bench 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.”

Mr Bates is understood to have no recollection of the incident.