A councillor has quit as Labour's education spokesman after being diagnosed with epilepsy, writes Mark Templeton.

County councillor Tom Richardson said he wants to spend more time with his wife, Penny and son Sam, 15.

Mr Richardson, who has held the post of education spokesman for the last two years, will also retire as councillor for New Marston ward in 2001.

His resignation comes just before the controversial School Organisation Review which could see schools in Oxford change from three tiers to two.

Mr Richardson, 69, said: "I found myself waking up in hospital on three occasions after blacking out. On the third occasion the neurologists told me it was epilepsy. "When something like this happens you assess things in your life. I've decided my wife and son are more important than work - and I want to spend more time with them."

The Labour group will meet on Friday to chose a replacement education spokesman.

But Mr Richardson said he would continue to voice opposition against changing the school tier system.

He said: "I know I'm at odds with the officers' opinions, but I'm not sure this has been thought out thoroughly."

Councillors were today considering a Labour group motion to back a two-tier system.

Story date: Wednesday 08 December

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