Margo 'inspired Jack McConnell

FORMER Labour First Minister Jack McConnell has revealed that he was inspired to go into politics not by a member of the Labour Party but by nationalist Margo MacDonald.

In a radio interview he says he met the now independent Lothians MSP at Stirling University.

He says: "I met her for the first time in 1981 when I was making a speech as president of the students association at a meeting of 500 people. After my speech, I sat down next to her and she asked me when I was going to become an MP.

"I was 21 at the time. She was probably the person who first put the idea into my head."

The interview will be broadcast on BBC Alba on Monday, 31 May at 10pm.