Glasgow Anniesland By-elections 2000

'Scottish Secretary John Reid is facing a nervous time ahead as a powerful Commons Committee considers a report into claims he used his MP's expenses to fund a Labour election campaign in breach of Parliamentary rules.' Michael Settle in the Herald, 24 th October 2000.

Former Runrig singer in Dewar seat bid

By John MacCalman in the Herald

He will face at least one challenge to win the Glasgow Anniesland candidacy, with senior city councillor Bill Butler yesterday also announcing his intention to stand.

Munro, 47, who left Runrig three years ago, and has since had a successful solo career, fought the Ross, Skye and Inverness West seat at both the last Westminster and Scottish parliamentary elections. He substantially increased Labour's share of the vote both times and narrowly missed being elected.

Father-of-four Munro, who is director of development at Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic college on Skye, and rector of the University of the Highlands and Islands project, said he had been urged by Mr Dewar to stand for the Scottish Parliament again only a few weeks ago.

"We never thought for a moment that the opportunity would first arise in his own constituency - that is the tragedy," said Munro from his home on Skye. "I am deeply honoured to be asked to stand. This has been so sudden. Like everyone else, I have been stunned and saddened by Donald's untimely death."

Munro has been used by Labour in national recruitment campaigns and was the party's spokesman on the Highlands and Islands, as well as the Gaelic language, in the run-up to the last Scottish Parliament elections.

He has also been rector of Edinburgh University and an adviser to Ministers on Scottish arts and culture.

Mr Butler, secretary to the Labour group on Glasgow City Council, has confirmed his interest, while another long-standing senior councillor, Jean McFadden, is understood to have pulled out of the race. Mr Butler currently represents the council ward of Tollcross Park but, for more than eight years, was a councillor for a ward in Mr Dewar's constituency.

Other names being floated for the nomination include Mike Elrick, adviser to Scottish Secretary John Reid, and Glasgow Councillor Steven Purcell.

The nominee for Mr Dewar's Westminster seat, which he was due to give up at the next General Election, has already been selected. Mr John Robertson is chairman of the Anniesland Constituency Labour Party.

- Oct 23