 | 'A secret Whitehall dossier written 30 years ago has revealed that
Labour ministers were concerned about the case for Scottish independence. The information was kept confidential at the time to keep Nationalism
at bay. The paper was obtained by the Scottish National Party under freedom of
information legislation. Written by a leading government economist in 1974, it sets out how oil would have given Scotland one of the strongest currencies in Europe.' BBC News, 12 th September 2005. |  |
THE Livingston by-election was hit by tragedy yesterday when it emerged that the Scottish Socialist Party agent had collapsed and died while out campaigning.
Bill Lebrun, who had a partner and two children, was taken to hospital on Monday after collapsing while canvassing for the SSP candidate, Steven Nimmo.
The SSP announced Mr Lebrun's death yesterday and immediately suspended all campaigning in the by-election as a mark of respect.
It is understood that Mr Lebrun was in his mid-50s and that his death was "totally unexpected".
Colin Fox, the SSP leader, said: "This is a terrible loss for the family of Bill Lebrun and we would ask the media to respect the family's privacy at this difficult time.
"The SSP has suspended campaigning for the immediate future in the by-election as a mark of respect to the family."
Labour's Jim Devine is defending the 13,000 majority Robin Cook secured in the general election.
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