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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Unite pushes for de-selection of Labour MP Ian Murray | Unite pushes for de-selection of Labour MP Ian Murray |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Unite union is pushing to de-select Scottish Labour's Ian Murray as a candidate in the next general election. | The Unite union is pushing to de-select Scottish Labour's Ian Murray as a candidate in the next general election. |
| The MP for Edinburgh South was Labour's only Scottish MP between 2015 and 2017 and has been a consistent critic of Jeremy Corbyn. | The MP for Edinburgh South was Labour's only Scottish MP between 2015 and 2017 and has been a consistent critic of Jeremy Corbyn. |
| Party rules trigger a contest to replace an MP if a third of local members or affiliated unions back it. | Party rules trigger a contest to replace an MP if a third of local members or affiliated unions back it. |
| But Mr Murray said installing a "hard left Marxist candidate" in his place would see Labour lose the seat. | But Mr Murray said installing a "hard left Marxist candidate" in his place would see Labour lose the seat. |
| He said he would now have to decide whether or not to stand as an independent candidate in the constituency. | He said he would now have to decide whether or not to stand as an independent candidate in the constituency. |
| 'Consistently undermined' | 'Consistently undermined' |
| A Unite spokesman said: "This decision was taken by Unite members following consultation with the relevant committees and branches of the union under our democratic processes. | A Unite spokesman said: "This decision was taken by Unite members following consultation with the relevant committees and branches of the union under our democratic processes. |
| "Our members are clearly concerned that Ian Murray has consistently undermined the Labour leadership in Scotland and at Westminster, and has on occasion attacked our union. | "Our members are clearly concerned that Ian Murray has consistently undermined the Labour leadership in Scotland and at Westminster, and has on occasion attacked our union. |
| "No MP is entitled to their seat. It is for Mr Murray to now demonstrate why Unite members in Edinburgh South should return him as their representative." | "No MP is entitled to their seat. It is for Mr Murray to now demonstrate why Unite members in Edinburgh South should return him as their representative." |
| Mr Murray vowed he would challenge the move. | |
| The MP told BBC radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "If Unite want to try to de-select me on Thursday I am sure the membership of South Edinburgh - that I get on very well with and have their full, wholehearted support - will take a very dim view of and will vote accordingly." | |
| Pressed on how he would respond to a move to replace him, Mr Murray added: "I think constituents deserve to have a choice of candidates in front of them, I would obviously discuss that with friends, family and colleagues to decide whether or not I would stand if I was deselected. | Pressed on how he would respond to a move to replace him, Mr Murray added: "I think constituents deserve to have a choice of candidates in front of them, I would obviously discuss that with friends, family and colleagues to decide whether or not I would stand if I was deselected. |
| "But certainly I can guarantee that if the Labour Party ... put in some hard left Marxist candidate they won't win the seat of Edinburgh South. | "But certainly I can guarantee that if the Labour Party ... put in some hard left Marxist candidate they won't win the seat of Edinburgh South. |
| "That would be damaging to the Labour Party and damaging to the country." | "That would be damaging to the Labour Party and damaging to the country." |
| Mr Murray said he had not spoken to the Labour Party leadership about the move to deselect him. | Mr Murray said he had not spoken to the Labour Party leadership about the move to deselect him. |
| Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman branded reports Mr Murray could be ousted from his constituency as "total madness". | Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman branded reports Mr Murray could be ousted from his constituency as "total madness". |
| Sources close to Mr Murray have said the de-selection efforts came from a central level at Unite, and not from the union's local branch. | Sources close to Mr Murray have said the de-selection efforts came from a central level at Unite, and not from the union's local branch. |
| The vote is due to take place on Thursday evening. | The vote is due to take place on Thursday evening. |
| Before becoming an MP Mr Murray served as an Edinburgh City Councillor for the Liberton and Gilmerton Ward from 2003 to 2010. | Before becoming an MP Mr Murray served as an Edinburgh City Councillor for the Liberton and Gilmerton Ward from 2003 to 2010. |
| He also increased his profile by leading the campaign to save Hearts Football Club from administration. | He also increased his profile by leading the campaign to save Hearts Football Club from administration. |
| Sole MP | Sole MP |
| The Edinburgh University graduate was elected to Westminster in 2010 and, after an SNP landslide in 2015, he was Labour's only Scottish MP. | The Edinburgh University graduate was elected to Westminster in 2010 and, after an SNP landslide in 2015, he was Labour's only Scottish MP. |
| In 2017 Mr Murray retained his Edinburgh South seat with 54.7% of the vote. | In 2017 Mr Murray retained his Edinburgh South seat with 54.7% of the vote. |
| He also increased his majority to 15,514 (32%) - the largest in Scotland. | He also increased his majority to 15,514 (32%) - the largest in Scotland. |
| In February he declined to join seven Labour MPs who left to form an independent group in protest at the party's approach to Brexit and anti-Semitism under Jeremy Corbyn. | In February he declined to join seven Labour MPs who left to form an independent group in protest at the party's approach to Brexit and anti-Semitism under Jeremy Corbyn. |
| At the time Mr Murray said Mr Corbyn should "listen and learn and decide if he wants to keep the Labour Party together". | At the time Mr Murray said Mr Corbyn should "listen and learn and decide if he wants to keep the Labour Party together". |