The former Assembly Member William Powell is seriously ill with coronavirus and is being treated in hospital.

A fellow Liberal Democrat councillor on Powys Council has confirmed to ITV Cymru Wales on behalf of the family that Mr Powell is in a stable condition but very poorly.

Mr Powell was Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales from 2011 to 2016 and was President of the Welsh Liberal Democrats until 2019.

The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds, has said her "whole party is devastated."

The whole party is devastated to hear about William's condition and our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this testing time. Jane Dodds, Leader Welsh Liberal Democrats

His fellow councillors in Powys later issued this statement:

The Powys County Council Welsh Lib Dem-Green Group regrettably confirms that Cllr William Powell was admitted to Neville Hall Hospital in Abergavenny presenting symptoms of COVID 19 on Thursday 26th March. On admission he was immediately transferred to Intensive Care and placed on a ventilator. The latest news we have is that his condition remains stable but he is poorly. As a Council Group we have known about his condition throughout his illness and have wished that our much-valued and well-loved colleague be allowed to fight the illness in a private manner. We are in regular touch with his family and would ask media and well-wishers to give them the space that they need in these most difficult circumstances. We will release further statements as appropriate. Cllr James Gibson-Watt Leader, Welsh Liberal Democrat – Green Group Powys Council

Fellow politicians and those who've worked with him have been sending their best wishes.

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know