AN employment dispute between a North-East Labour MP and his ex-wife was settled out of court yesterday.

John McWilliam, the 58-year-old MP for Blaydon, was taken to an employment tribunal for wrongful dismissal by former wife Lesley McWilliam.

Mrs McWilliam, 57, from Blaydon, on Tyneside, was her ex-husband's constituency secretary for a total of 21 years.

She continued to work for him for ten years after the couple divorced in 1990, but left under a cloud last year in a dispute believed to centre on payment of her wages.

Mr McWilliam, a former marine and Scottish judo champion has had a troubled love life.

The parliamentary deputy speaker, who finished bottom of a poll to become speaker in the House of Commons last October, was due to marry barmaid Marilyn Graham after splitting from his first wife.

Ms Graham, 52, who pulled pints in Gateshead Civic Centre, dumped him for Gateshead council's then leisure services director Paul Stevens, 53.

It was reported the two love rivals came to blows after a confrontation in the Civic Centre bar.

Although Mr McWilliam denied the claims, there was an internal inquiry and Mr Stevens lost his job.

Mr McWilliam then married Mary McLouglin, a sales and marketing manager with a diary company, but they later divorced.

Two years ago he married his present wife, Helene.

Following yesterday's settlement, Mr McWilliam and his former wife issued a joint statement.

The parties said: ''Lesley McWilliam and John McWilliam MP have settled their employment dispute on acceptable terms.''

No details of the settlement were made public and neither party was prepared to comment further.

Mr and Mrs McWilliam, who were married 26 years, have two daughters, Fiona, 25, and Ruth 28.