LONG-serving Newport MP Paul Flynn has called on his colleagues in Parliament to join him in congratulating Argus editor Kevin Ward on the fourth anniversary of his appointment to the role.

Mr Ward took up the reins at the Argus on St David’s Day 2012, and Mr Flynn has marked the occasion by submitting an Early Day Motion to the House of Commons calling the paper “an example to British journalism”.

Mr Flynn, who has served as MP for Newport West since 1987, said he was particularly pleased the paper under Mr Ward’s editorship has given each of Gwent’s MPs the chance to address readers in their own words.

“Many MPs are denied the full access to the local press because of the political stance of the editors,” he said.

“Under Kevin's editorship all political parties have been given full access to the columns on a regular basis.”

Labour MPs for Newport East Jessica Morden, Blaenau Gwent's Nick Smith, Islwyn's Chris Evans and Torfaen's Nick Thomas-Symonds have also signed the motion, along with Gwent's only Conservative Member of Parliament David Davies, who represents Monmouth.

Mr Ward, 49, worked for the Argus in a range of editorial roles from 1989 until 2007, working his way up to deputy editor, before leaving to become editor of the Worcester Evening News. But five years later he returned to the Argus to take on the role of editor, starting on March 1, 2012.

Mr Ward said he was “flattered” by Mr Flynn’s motion and said political independence was “central to the Argus’ editorial policy”.

He said: “It is not our role to tell readers how they should vote, as some national newspaper have the arrogance to do, but we attempt to report across the political spectrum to help our readers make an informed decision and that is what we will do in the forthcoming National Assembly and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.”