Gordon McMaster suffered from ME and depression

McMaster Inquiry Launched

Mr Brown was asked to conduct the investigation by the Prime Minister after it emerged that the late MP wrote a suicide note accusing two parliamentary colleagues of spreading rumours about him.

It is understood that Mr Brown's first call was to another Scottish MP, Norman Godman.

Mr Godman told him Labour's National Executive committee should get involved and mount a full-scale investigation, looking into not just Mr McMaster's suicide - but into the rash of allegations that have stricken Labour politics in the west of Scotland for years. The most serious suggests some Labour figures may have contacts with the criminal underworld.

Nick Brown: troubleshooter

Meanwhile in Scotland, an SNP councillor has been suspended after allegedly making unsubstantiated claims about Gordon McMaster.

Mr McMaster's suicide note suggested the MP Tommy Graham and the former Deputy Chief Whip Don Dixon - now Lord Dixon - had been involved in the rumourmill that had left him so depressed. Lord Dixon told BBC Radio that Mr McMaster was unhappy because his career had been blocked.

"I told Gordon at the time that in my opinion he couldn't have stood the pressure taking over my job and I wasn't going to recommend him. He was not particularly happy about it."

Tommy Graham, also mentioned in the note, has spoken publicly too, saying Mr Mcmaster's drinking caused his unhappiness.

Other Scottish MPs are not so sure - Mr Brown is said to have been rung by several, who have offered him alarming anecdotal evidence for his enquiry.

Before he speaks to Lord Dixon the Chief Whip is expected to visit Paisley to see Irene Adams. The MP who was a close friend of Gordon McMaster, believes they were both being smeared by colleagues.

Ms Adams says there are a number of people living in the area who have evidence of this smear campaign and are prepared to submit sworn affidavits about it to the Chief Whip.

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, can expect to see Mr Brown's report when he returns from holiday at the end of the month.

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