By Steve Bargeton, political editor

PRIME MINISTER Gordon Brown is facing another bruising by-election this time on his own political doorstep after the death yesterday of Glenrothes MP John MacDougall.

Mr MacDougall (60), described by Mr Brown as “a good personal friend,” had been battling mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs, for some time.

His death leaves Labour bracing itself for a by-election less than three weeks after the SNP overturned a massive 13,500 majority to win Glasgow East.

With Mr Brown representing the neighbouring constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, the battle for Glenrothes will be seen as a direct challenge to the authority of the Prime Minister.

Labour are unlikely to call a snap by-election in Glenrothes as they did in Glasgow East given that the party’s annual conference is being held on September 20 and are more likely to go for the autumn.

Losing Glenrothes in his own backyard would be a personal humiliation for Mr Brown.

Labour strategists will want to avoid the possibility of Mr Brown attempting to rally his beleaguered party at conference with defeat on his own doorstep still ringing in his ears.

Until a few years ago Fife was considered solid Labour territory apart from the Lib Dem enclave in the north-east. But the political tide has turned in Fife.

The last by-election fought in Fife, in February 2006, saw the Liberal Democrats seize power in Dunfermline and West Fife, which had previously been a safe Labour constituency.

At the Holyrood elections in May last year Labour lost Central Fife—which takes in much of the Glenrothes Westminster constituency—to the SNP and Dunfermline West to the Lib Dems as well as losing control of Fife Council for the first time.

At the last General Election Mr MacDougall had a 10,000-plus majority over the SNP, a result which should make Glenrothes a safe seat for Labour at a by-election.

With the SNP racking up a 19% lead in the polls and in the aftermath of Glasgow East it is the nationalists who are being seen as the favourites to win the Fife seat.

Last night the main parties said it was too soon to talk about who is likely to stand for them.

However, it would be a surprise if Fife Council leader Peter Grant is not confirmed as the SNP candidate having already been selected to fight the seat at the next general election.

The Conservative candidate is likely to be Maurice Golden, who stood in Central Fife at the last Holyrood elections. Councillor Elizabeth Riches and businessman Harry Wills are being tipped as possible Lib Dem runners.

But all eyes will be on the Labour candidate. There were suggestions last night that former First Minister and Central Fife MP and MSP Henry McLeish might be persuaded to throw his hat in the ring, and former MSP and council leader Christine May has not ruled out a return to front-line politics.

Fife Labour councillors being mentioned are Mark Hood from Cardenden, Kay Morrison from Glenrothes and Fife Council Labour leader Alex Rowley, who is close to Mr Brown.

Tributes to Mr MacDougall poured in throughout the day yesterday, led by the Prime Minister who visited him in hospital on Monday.

“John MacDougall gave more than 30 years of distinguished public service to Fife—as a councillor, leader of the Fife Council, convener of Fife Council and then Member of Parliament for Central Fife and he will be remembered as a true servant of the people,” said Mr Brown.

“A very popular, diligent local Member of Parliament, he served Fife with great distinction in all the roles he played.

“Over three decades he has been a good personal friend of mine and I visited him on Monday.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to his widow, Cathy, to his son and daughter, Scott and Julie, and to his mother and sister.”

North East Fife Lib Dem MP Sir Menzies Campbell said, “Both as a councillor and as a Member of Parliament, John MacDougall embodied the best traditions of public service.

“His courageous fight against illness in recent times meant that Parliament was denied his shrewd interventions on so many issues. My sympathy goes to his wife and family.”

The SNP leader at Westminster Angus Robertson said, “I am saddened that John has lost his long and brave fight against illness, and our condolences go to his wife and family at this very difficult time.

“We may have been on opposite sides in the House of Commons, but John carried the respect of people right across the chamber, and was passionate for the issues he believed in and the welfare of his constituents, which he cared about deeply.

He will be much missed.”

Tory shadow Scottish secretary David Mundell said, “John was a kind and decent man who was dedicated to the service of the people of Fife, with distinguished service both in Parliament and local government.

“I have greatly admired the way in which he has borne such a debilitating illness with enormous courage.

“My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”