Professor Keith Ruddock, husband of Labour front bencher Joan Ruddock, died yesterday after being struck by a car near his home.

Professor Ruddock, 57, was taken to hospital after the accident at New Cross Road, New Cross, south London.

He was later transferred to a specialist unit at Atkinson Morley's Hospital, Wimbledon, south London, where he died.

Scotland Yard appealed for witnesses to the accident which happened when he was crossing the road. The driver of the car, a Volvo estate, was unhurt.

Professor Ruddock lived nearby in Reservoir Road, Brockley, and was a lecturer in biophysics at Imperial College, London.

Mrs Ruddock, 52, announced in 1991 that she had been separated from her husband for some time.

Mrs Ruddock has been in a settled relationship with former Labour MP Frank Doran for several years.