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Falkirk Labour: Karen Whitefield chosen after selection row | Falkirk Labour: Karen Whitefield chosen after selection row |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Members of the Falkirk Labour Party have selected Karen Whitefield as their candidate to fight the general election in 2015. | Members of the Falkirk Labour Party have selected Karen Whitefield as their candidate to fight the general election in 2015. |
The original process had to be abandoned after allegations of vote rigging by the Unite union. | The original process had to be abandoned after allegations of vote rigging by the Unite union. |
Also standing for selection were Pam Duncan and Monica Lennon. | Also standing for selection were Pam Duncan and Monica Lennon. |
The Falkirk seat is held by Eric Joyce, who resigned from Labour after being convicted of assault. He has continued to stand as an independent. | The Falkirk seat is held by Eric Joyce, who resigned from Labour after being convicted of assault. He has continued to stand as an independent. |
The Labour selection process was suspended after a whistleblower complained that the Unite union was signing up members without their knowledge, to give preference to the union's preferred candidate. | The Labour selection process was suspended after a whistleblower complained that the Unite union was signing up members without their knowledge, to give preference to the union's preferred candidate. |
'Strong voice' | |
The chairman of the Falkirk Party Stevie Deans and the candidate Karie Murphy were suspended from Labour but later reinstated. | The chairman of the Falkirk Party Stevie Deans and the candidate Karie Murphy were suspended from Labour but later reinstated. |
None of the original candidates for the selection process made it onto the final shortlist. | None of the original candidates for the selection process made it onto the final shortlist. |
The Labour leadership has insisted its inquiry into the situation will not be published because people contributed to it on the condition of their confidences being respected. | The Labour leadership has insisted its inquiry into the situation will not be published because people contributed to it on the condition of their confidences being respected. |
Mr Deans was also investigated by his employers Ineos, who run Grangemouth. This led to industrial action from the union which came close to Grangemouth's petrochemical plant being closed. | Mr Deans was also investigated by his employers Ineos, who run Grangemouth. This led to industrial action from the union which came close to Grangemouth's petrochemical plant being closed. |
Ms Whitefield was the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts from 1999 until 2011. She lost her seat to the now health secretary Alex Neil. | Ms Whitefield was the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts from 1999 until 2011. She lost her seat to the now health secretary Alex Neil. |
She has been an active Labour member since 1988 and worked as a personal assistant to Rachel Squire, MP for Dunfermline West, from 1992 until 1999. | She has been an active Labour member since 1988 and worked as a personal assistant to Rachel Squire, MP for Dunfermline West, from 1992 until 1999. |
Speaking after her selection was announced, Ms Whitefield said: "I am delighted that Labour members in Falkirk have put their faith in me to fight this vital election. | |
"We have a hard battle ahead in winning back the trust of the people of Falkirk and it is an opportunity we do not take for granted. I am determined that we will do it by fighting on the issues that matter to these communities." | |
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said: "Karen will be a fantastic candidate and a strong voice for the people of these communities at a time when they most need it. | |
"I look forward to campaigning with her and showing the people of Falkirk that Scottish Labour is the party that will stand up for them." |