Labour given Christmas deadline to sort Moffat row

Published on Saturday 6 December 2008 10:02

SCOTTISH Labour leader and East Lothian MSP Iain Gray has given party officials a Christmas deadline to sort out the row in his local party between MP Anne Moffat and disgruntled activists.

A panel from Labour's London-based national executive committee and their Scottish executive committee is visiting the constituency this weekend in a bid to end the dispute which led the NEC to suspend the local party last month.

Mr Gray has kept out of the row, but Labour sources say he is angry at the way it has been handled and is determined it is not allowed to drag on.

Ms Moffat, who has been MP for the seat since 2001, was re-selected last year on the basis of union votes after only two of six branches in the constituency backed her.

She claims she is the victim of intense bullying and has complained some activists do not like working with "strong women".

But her critics put the blame on her and say her relations with the local party have completely broken down.

All Labour Party members in East Lothian have received a letter from Scottish general secretary Colin Smyth, inviting them to speak to the investigators in confidential meetings today and tomorrow. The panel will then report to the Scottish executive committee, which is due to meet within the next week or so.

A Labour spokesman said: "The panel is there to understand the problem that clearly exists and recommend how to solve it."

But he said there was no question of anyone being expelled.

Ms Moffat said: "I just want there to be a full investigation. That's the only way forward. I just want to be left unhindered to get on with my job."