9am Briefing: Labour members to vote on MP Anne Moffat deselection bid

Labour's national executive committee yesterday agreed by 24 votes to four to a request for an all-member meeting in East Lothian to decide on deselection.

Local party officials must give seven days' notice of the all-member meeting, which will vote on a motion that Ms Moffat should not be the candidate. If the motion is carried, Ms Moffat will have the right of appeal to the NEC.

Fire breaks out at gym

FIREFIGHTERS were battling a blaze at an Edinburgh gym this morning.

The fire broke out within the roof space of Bannatyne's Health Club on Newcraighall Road at around 5am, and firefighters were still in attendance three hours later.

Nobody was inside the building at the time of the fire.

A total of seven appliances attended the fire, the cause of which is not yet known.

Fraud probe at jeweller

DETECTIVES are investigating fraud at a prestigious Scots jewellery firm that acts as silversmith to the Queen.

Lothian and Borders Police confirmed officers are probing a report of "fraudulent card transactions" at Edinburgh jewellers Hamilton & Inches.

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police are investigating a report of fraudulent card transactions at a jeweller in George Street, Edinburgh, in January 2010."

'Baby Branson' suspends flights

A SECOND airline launched by a young entrepreneur dubbed "baby Branson" has been forced to suspend flights after only one week, it was reported today.

Varsity Express, which was launched on 1 March by Martin Halstead and operated daily flights between Edinburgh and Oxford, has been grounded because it allegedly failed to pay aircraft bills. Some 500 passengers had made bookings.

It was reported that the owner of the single 18-seat aircraft used by Varsity Express, plans to pursue Mr Halstead for up to 20,000, the amount he said he is owed in unpaid bills.