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Ex-minister Howells standing down Ex-minister Howells standing down
(about 1 hour later)
Former government minister Dr Kim Howells has announced he will step down at next year's general election.Former government minister Dr Kim Howells has announced he will step down at next year's general election.
The 63-year-old MP has held the Pontypridd seat for Labour since 1989.The 63-year-old MP has held the Pontypridd seat for Labour since 1989.
His ministerial career took in the departments of education, trade and industry, culture, media and sport, transport and the Foreign Office.His ministerial career took in the departments of education, trade and industry, culture, media and sport, transport and the Foreign Office.
After leaving government in a reshuffle last year he became chair of the Security and Intelligence Committee, overseeing the work of MI5 and MI6.After leaving government in a reshuffle last year he became chair of the Security and Intelligence Committee, overseeing the work of MI5 and MI6.
Dr Howells won the Pontypridd seat in a by-election in February 1989.Dr Howells won the Pontypridd seat in a by-election in February 1989.
Previously he had worked as a TV presenter and journalist and before that was a leading figure in the 1984 miners' strike in south Wales, as a NUM official, although an opponent of Arthur Scargill.Previously he had worked as a TV presenter and journalist and before that was a leading figure in the 1984 miners' strike in south Wales, as a NUM official, although an opponent of Arthur Scargill.
Dr Howells won a majority of 13,191 over the Liberal Democrats at the 2005 election.Dr Howells won a majority of 13,191 over the Liberal Democrats at the 2005 election.
Last month, he called for a phased and planned withdrawal of British soldiers from Afghanistan.Last month, he called for a phased and planned withdrawal of British soldiers from Afghanistan.
Idea of hell
"How long do we put up with brave young men and women dying and being injured in Afghanistan?" Mr Howells said."How long do we put up with brave young men and women dying and being injured in Afghanistan?" Mr Howells said.
The former minister has been known for colourful and outspoken remarks.The former minister has been known for colourful and outspoken remarks.
The arts school graduate left a note after a visit to a Tate exhibition saying that British art was "lost" if that was the best it could produce.The arts school graduate left a note after a visit to a Tate exhibition saying that British art was "lost" if that was the best it could produce.
His note said: "The attempts at conceptualisation are particularly pathetic and symptomatic of a lack of conviction."His note said: "The attempts at conceptualisation are particularly pathetic and symptomatic of a lack of conviction."
And turning to the arts establishment in Wales, he once said it was in the grip of "constipated old wrinklies".And turning to the arts establishment in Wales, he once said it was in the grip of "constipated old wrinklies".
He also said in the Commons during a debate on music licences that Somerset folk music was his idea of hell, although he later said he was only being light-hearted during exchanges.He also said in the Commons during a debate on music licences that Somerset folk music was his idea of hell, although he later said he was only being light-hearted during exchanges.
Pontypridd's Welsh Assembly member, Environment Minister Jane Davidson, is also standing down at elections in 2011.Pontypridd's Welsh Assembly member, Environment Minister Jane Davidson, is also standing down at elections in 2011.