CONTROVERSIAL former Cabinet Minister Stephen Byers will visit York tomorrow as he continues his political rehabilitation.

He will deliver one of his first speeches since he quit as Transport Secretary in June in a speech to the York Policy Forum.

Mr Byers, who was put under intense pressure to quit in the wake of the Jo Moore email scandal, said he was delighted to have accepted an invitation to open the event.

The North Tyneside MP will speak about the future of Government policy to local Labour party members and voluntary bodies at Tang Hall Community Centre.

He will also host a question-and-answer session with those attending, who are expected to include representatives from church and disability groups, and pensioner organisations.

Mr Byers, who is also a former Trade and Industry Secretary, said: "It is important to discuss issues such as the future of the welfare state, or pensions, with people from all walks of life.

"By listening to people who have an interest or expertise in these particular areas, the Government can decide how best to develop its policies for the next election."

York MP Hugh Bayley, who will open the event with Mr Byers, said: "This shows the importance the government attaches to listening to people - both within the party and the general public."

Mr Byers was dogged by controversy from the moment an email by his special adviser, Jo Moore, suggesting September 11 was a good day to "bury" bad news, became public.

Mr Byers kept out of the public eye in the wake of his departure four months ago, but has returned to the political scene in recent weeks.

He was seen at Downing Street last week, and insiders have not ruled out a return to the Cabinet in the future.

Updated: 11:27 Friday, September 20, 2002