LABOUR CHIEFS yesterday suspended the local constituency party of Scottish leader Iain Gray in a row over candidate reselection, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

The East Lothian party, Labour’s biggest constituency party in Scotland, has been closed down and its affairs are being run from London.

The suspension concerns an internal row over the reselection of Westminster MP Anne Moffat as candidate to fight the next election.

Confirming the suspension yesterday, a Labour spokesman said, “It is normal that the business being transacted by the local party is suspended pending the dispute being resolved.

“The NEC (national executive committee) will now work with the local party to resolve matters amicably.”

Ms Moffat was first elected to serve East Lothian in 2001.

In her bid for reselection she gained the support of only two of six branches in the constituency, but was endorsed as the candidate as a result of votes from the unions.

The NEC initially endorsed Ms Moffat as the candidate, but subsequent complaints locally have led to the NEC stepping in and suspending the party.

She attracted criticism after claiming £40,000 in travel expenses between 2003 and 2004, more than any other MP.

Last night Mr Gray said his work as an MSP is unaffected by the dispute.

“This is a matter for the constituency Labour Party and the party at a national level,” he added.

“My work as county MSP continues as usual.”

But the SNP said the row was embarrassing for the Scottish Labour leader.

“This is humiliating for Iain Gray,” said SNP leader at Westminster Angus Robertson.

“Labour has finally confirmed the worst kept secret in Scottish politics—Iain Gray is London Labour’s man.

“Since Jim Murphy took over at the Scotland Office, Iain Gray will have got used to taking his orders from London—now his constituency party is being run from there too.”