London - The Conservative leader of the Welsh Assembly, Mr Rod Richards, last night stood down in order to contest charges of grievous bodily harm made against him, a spokesman for Conservative Central Office said.
But he insisted handing over to his deputy, Mr David Davies, was merely a temporary measure while he fought the charges against him.
Mr Richards is charged with grievous bodily harm against Ms Cassandra Melvin (22) on July 27th in Kew, west London.