MP Harris wins right to vie for leadership

SCOTTISH Labour MP Tom Harris has received the required number of nominations from party members to stand in the contest to succeed Iain Gray.

The news comes after speculation that Glasgow South MP Mr Harris was not likely to get the ten nominations, which come from parliamentary colleagues.

Mr Harris, the only MP in the three-way contest, was handed the nominations weeks before the deadline to get the ten names on 4 November.

The MP can stand in the election due to a change of the existing rules that only allow MSPs to be Scottish Labour leader.

He will now be pitted against Scottish Labour deputy leader Johann Lamont and Eastwood MSP Ken Macintosh, with the winner announced on 17 December following a ballot of party members, affiliated trade unions and parliamentarians.

Mr Harris, who would not reveal the details of his supporters, insisted he could win the election, even though his rivals had secured enough nominations to stand well in advance of him.

He said: “I’ve got enough nominations to get on the ballot paper. I wanted to get the names as early as possible, even though the nominations don’t close until 4 November.

“I know I’m behind the others in terms of nominations, but the result is going to depend on the way the debate goes. If people see my performance during the hustings and think I’m the best candidate, then I hope they’ll vote for me.

“If I’m not the best candidate to take on Alex Salmond, then I hope I don’t win.”