WYRE Forest MP David Lock has threatened to sue a Bewdley magazine over an article on election rival Dr Richard Taylor.

Mr Lock is demanding an apology and retraction from free magazine For You over comments made on the Kidderminster Hospital controversy in the interview with Health Concern's prospective parliamentary candidate.

However, the independent magazine is standing by its article, pending further legal advice, and has offered Mr Lock a right of reply in a forthcoming issue.

The piece in For You, which has a 25,000 circulation mainly in Midlands supermarkets, included the repetition of an article which appeared in satirical magazine Private Eye.

This referred to Mr Lock's libel threat against Health Concern councillor Frank Baillie in February.

The MP claims the article also made other libellous comments on the health shake-up.

Mr Baillie apologised unreservedly to Mr Lock following the threat over comments he made in the January 12 issue of Tribune.

Mr Lock is fuming the alleged libel has been repeated in another interview with a Health Concern member - Dr Taylor. He accused Health Concern of waging a dirty tricks campaign against him and called on Dr Taylor to distance himself from the article.

Mr Lock said: "I want to put a stop to these sort of vindictive and malicious stories and stop these dirty tricks.

"I and my family have had three years of abuse over the hospital issue for telling the truth and trying to get to the real issues rather than slogans, getting away from cliches and dealing with what is going on and trying to do the best for my constituents."

He added: "I've never heard a constructive word from this editor about the health situation in Wyre Forest and then see this alarmist, misleading article.

"I am delighted they are seeking legal advice so they can find out their position."

However, magazine editor Steve Percy claimed his initial legal advice said the article was neither defamatory nor libellous.

He said the magazine would apologise if defamation or libel was proved.

He felt disappointed at the MP's stance saying the matter could have been settled in a more "gentlemanly" way.

He said: "I'm surprised a man in his position is trying to crack a nut with a sledgehammer.

"He could have dealt with this in a more gentlemanly manner. We feel we have been generous in offering him a forum to air his views in our publication."

Meanwhile, Dr Taylor stressed the alleged defamatory remarks did not emanate from him.

As for a dirty tricks campaign, he said: I am not aware of one and it is not necessary. People will either vote for me or not."

When asked why he was intending to sue For You but had not taken action against Private Eye, Mr Lock said: "Private Eye circulates extremely rarely in Wyre Forest whereas this magazine has a circulation of 25,000 in the Midlands."