Gilmore picked for Strang seat

FORMER housing convener Sheila Gilmore has been chosen as Labour's candidate for Edinburgh East at the next general election.

She won a closely-fought selection battle, defeating rival Catriona Munro by just one vote in the final count.

Others who had been in the running included councillors Norma Hart and Angela Blacklock and long-standing party activist Karen Doran.

Ms Gilmore – councillor for Inch ward from 1991 until 2007 – was election agent for Nigel Griffiths in Edinburgh South at four Westminster elections.

She stood as Labour candidate in Edinburgh Pentlands against former Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie at the 2007 Holyrood elections.

Former Cabinet Minister Gavin Strang, who has been MP for Edinburgh East since 1970, is standing down at the general election.

He had a majority of 6202 at the last election in 2005.