BBC presenter tipped as SNP candidate for seat

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 19:54

A BBC journalist is among the favourites to become the SNP candidate in the hotly contested Glasgow North East by-election, created by the departure of former speaker Michael Martin.

David Kerr, a reporter at BBC Scotland, is understood to have joined two other candidates, local Glasgow councillor James Dornan and European parliament candidate Aileen McLeod.

The SNP will decide on a final shortlist today before local party activists decide on their preferred candidate. The nominated candidate for the seat, Glasgow councillor Grant Thoms unexpectedly pulled out of the race to weeks ago.

Kerr, who has presented and produced BBC Scotland news programmes, stood for the SNP in the Falkirk West by-election in 2000 when he lost narrowly to Labour MP Eric Joyce.

The by-election is expected to take place in November.

Labour last night attacked the SNP for failing to find a candidate from the local area. A spokeswoman said: "It is incredible that the SNP cannot find a single local candidate who wants to fight the seat."

However, the SNP said they had still to receive a full list of candidates to put their names forward.