Local Labour in turmoil after controversial candidate choice

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 20th Sep 2008

The Labour campaign in the Forth by-election has already fallen into chaos after popular former Labour councillor, Billy Fitzpatrick was rejected as the Labour candidate.

Voters in the Forth ward are to go the polls in November to elect a new local councillor, after the tragic death of Elizabeth Maginnis two weeks ago.

On Friday, Labour selected their candidate and despite the expectation that popular former Labour councillor for Pilton Billy Fitzpatrick would be the candidate, he was rejected by the local Labour party.

Now the local Labour party is said to be deeply split by the decision, with many local Labour members angry at the way Billy Fitzpatrick has been treated.

Edinburgh West MP, John Barrett said, "I have known Billy Fitzpatrick for many years. He was well known in Pilton as a hard working and popular local councillor. Party politics aside, I know many people who were sorry to see Billy so narrowly lose his seat last year.

"I've already spoken to a number of people who are shocked that Labour would treat him so badly by rejecting him as the Labour candidate in this by-election, despite his local track record. The campaign has only just started but it seems the Labour campaign is already in turmoil."