A would-be Dundee Labour MP has received the backing of controversial politician George Galloway over her attempt to return a campaign donation from Tony Blair.
The Bradford West representative, who grew up in Lochee and first took his place in the House of Commons as a Labour member, praised East End councillor Lesley Brennan for trying to reject £1,000 from the former Prime Minister.
However, her bid to turn down the cash has been rejected by her party as it was made to the central office and cannot be refused by an individual Constituency Labour Party (CLP).
Respect Party MP Mr Galloway said: “We know that Tony Blair has offered £1,000 to 106 constituencies and some we know have rejected donations from this blood-stained man, who took us into a war on false pretences in which up to a million people died.
“Labour must today publish the list of where this money has gone. Those who took it and those who have refused it out of principle.
“I’m pleased to see that Labour in Dundee East told him where to stick it and I am told Imran Hussain in Bradford East has done the same.
“Has Naz Shah, my opponent inBradford West knocked it back? Theelectorate needs to know.”
Ms Brennan’s attempt to refuse the money has proven divisive within Dundee Labour with some senior membersclaiming they were not consulted on her intentions before she made the statement on Twitter.
The move has also drawn criticism from across the party nationally, with seniorfigures in the Scottish leadership said tobe “furious” and MPs voicing their rage.
One current Westminster representative said they were “astonished” at the nature of Ms Brennan’s statement and how she had handled the announcement. The MP added: “It is just a feeling of absolute anger atself-indulgent student politics.”
The former Prime Minister has giventhe money to 106 of the party’s targetseats across the UK, including MsBrennan’s bid to oust the SNP’s Stewart Hosie.
Ms Brennan failed to respond to a request for comment.