Read The Herald's political blog here... A Tory defector collapsed and was rushed to hospital after addressing the Labour conference yesterday.
Councillor Les Byrom, from Southport, won cheers and an ovation from the conference after describing his decision to switch parties. But minutes later, after returning to his seat, he started feeling unwell and was given first aid by members of the Prime Minister's personal protection team.
He was then taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary and is receiving treatment. It is understood he was conscious in the ambulance.
Mr Byrom, who was Conservative group leader at Sefton Council from 1991 to 2005, resigned from the party 10 weeks ago. A Labour spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with Les Byrom and his family at this difficult time and we are offering his wife any assistance we can give."
Mr Byrom praised the Prime Minister as a "considerate and compassionate" man in his speech during the crime and justice debate.
He said: "If you give Gordon Brown the chance he will use the experience he had as the iron Chancellor and he will become an iron Prime Minister."
Mr Byrom said "dissatisfaction" over Tory policy on public services had prompted his defection.
Read The Herald's political blog here...
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