Tommy Graham: under investigation

Labour Suspends 'Smear' MP

The MP, Tommy Graham, confirmed he is being suspended but has said this was not because of the death of fellow MP Gordon McMaster.

He said he believed the Labour Chief Whip Nick Brown had exonerated him from any part in Mr McMaster's "tragic demise".

In a statement, Mr Brown confirmed Mr Graham suspension was not related to Mr McMaster's suicide.

"I am satisfied that Gordon was suffering from a severe depressive illness for which he had been receiving treatment over a long period of time and that this, and this alone, was the cause of his death," he said.

"Sadly, however, there are serious allegations that the Member of Parliament for West Renfrewshire, Tommy Graham, has failed to live up to the high standards expected of the Parliamentary Labour Party. These allegations relate to verbal attacks on colleagues, unrelated to Gordon McMaster's death," he added.

"I have concluded that there are serious grounds for investigation to establish whether there is any justification for any of these allegations. The whole affair has had the effect of bringing the party into disrepute and destabilising local politics in Renfrew," stressed Mr Brown.

The BBC's Nick Robinson reports on the troubles of the Labour party in Scotland
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There has already been a preliminary inquiry conducted by Mr Brown, into the death of Mr McMaster, who was MP for Paisley South.

That inquiry is said to have concluded that Mr Graham and political allies in Paisley were involved in "a conspiracy" with non-Labour Party members to blacken the reputations of three Labour MPs - Mr McMaster; the MP for Paisley North, Irene Adams; and the Greenock and Inverclyde MP, Norman Godman.

Paul Mack: "With friends like these who needs enemies?"

"People have been terrified into a quasi-masonic silence" Dur: 2'02"

It clears Mr Graham of any responsibility for Mr McMaster's death, finding that the MP was clinically depressed over his suspected organo-phosphate poisoning - a legacy of his former gardening work.

The Chief Whip is said to have dismissed suggestions that Mr McMaster was HIV positive and finds that his depression was worsened by drinking.

The former leader of Renfrewshire Council, Paul Mack, was reportedly complained about by Gordon McMaster in his suicide note, along with Mr Graham.

Mr Mack said in interviews with the BBC that Labour was conducting a "superficial" investigation into what he said was a deep malaise in the party in Paisley, and was not listening fairly to all those involved.

Mr Mack said he had tried to keep a "respectful silence" over the past three weeks out of sympathy for Mr McMaster's family, and others should have done likewise.

Donald Dewar: trying to talk about devolution

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"Instead, we have all witnessed the most degrading, cynical, scandalous piece of political opportunism that has come out of this proud but beleaguered town."

Labour is worried that the adverse publicity generated by the turmoil in Paisley is overshadowing the devolution referendum campaign.

The Scottish Secretary, Donald Dewar, was pressed on the matter by journalists at a news conference, when he shared a platform with the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party to bolster the campaign for 'Yes' votes in the referendum.

He had raised the subject himself - in attempting not to. He said: "I am very pleased to be here to see the interest in devolution. Clearly there have been complications and distractions over the last few days. I want to make it clear this is nothing to do with the devolution campaign."

When questioned, Mr Dewar declined repeatedly to comment on events in Paisley.