Veteran Black Country MP Bruce George is in hospital in America after falling ill on a visit to the country, it was revealed today.

The Walsall South Labour MP, who has announced he will step down at the next general election, was at a conference at the National Defense University, Washington DC when he went to hospital.

A spokesman at his office said: “Any initial concerns about his health were quickly put aside after extensive tests were undertaken by the medical staff.

“Bruce has been prescribed a course of treatment by his doctors and he is expected to be discharged from hospital this weekend after which he plans to return to the UK and get back to work immediately.”

He said that the MP wished to “make it clear” that his health has nothing to do with his earlier decision to retire from the House of Commons.

Mr George, aged 67, plans to get back to work next week and play his part in the forthcoming general election campaign