Tommy Graham: under investigation

Government Launches Devolution Campaign under a Cloud

The Government is anxious to limit the damage over the suicide of Paisley South MP, Gordon McMaster. It now wants to turn to what ministers see as the overriding priority in Scotland -- to swing public support behind the proposals for a Scottish parliament with tax-varying powers.

The Scottish Secretary, Donald Dewar, will be among senior Scottish Labour figures who will emphasise what Labour considers the historic opportunity Scots will have at the referendum to choose a better system of government. Party officials are convinced that their pro-devolution campaign can now get back on course now that Mr Graham -- and two of its local party figures -- have been suspended.

But the investigation into the allegations made against them, and the conduct of the party in three constituencies in Renfewshire, will continue throughout and beyond the referendum campaign. And the united front demonstrated by Labour's political opponents in the run-up to the vote will soon disappear.

The by-election for the Paisley South seat caused by the death of Gordon McMaster is likely to be highly acrimonious.

Damage Limitation

Party chiefs cleared the West Renfrewshire MP of playing any part in the "tragic death" of Mr McMaster, but suspended him from the Parliamentary Labour Party pending a broader investigation into separate allegations.

The suspension has the effect of dispatching Mr Graham into internal exile and means he loses the privileges of representing Labour in the Commons.

The BBC's Nick Robinson reports on the troubles of the Labour party in Scotland
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The action follows a report by the Government Chief Whip Nick Brown, which was ordered by the Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr Brown concluded that Mr McMaster was suffering from "a severe depressive illness" and this, alone, was the cause of his death.

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Labour's ruling National Executive Committee will now investigate complaints that Mr Graham verbally attacked colleagues and allegations that he worked with a known opponent of the Labour Party.

The party's general secretary, Tom Sawyer, will also send in a task force to overhaul the party in the three constituencies - Paisley North and South and Mr Graham's seat - that make up Renfrewshire and report to him.

Mr Sawyer also announced a package of measures aimed at clearing up allegations of "membership irregularities" in one of those seats, the Paisley North constituency.

Two Labour figures who were directors of a security firm in the region will be suspended pending the outcome of a police investigation into the company.

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"The party's investigation will proceed without delay. We make no assumptions about the final outcome, or any judgment about the individuals concerned," said Mr Sawyer.

Mr Garahm denied allegations last week that he spread rumours about Mr McMaster's private life. He is believed to have been named in the Paisley South MP's suicide note and has upset some in the party with comments since the suicide about Mr McMaster and his colleague Irene Adams, the Labour MP for Paisley North.

The Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar welcomed the "tough and decisive action" ordered by the party and warned there would be no place in Labour's ranks for wrongdoers.

"The bruising experience of recent days has confirmed my personal resolve to enforce the highest standard of integrity and conduct throughout the Scottish Labour Party," he said. "There will be no place in our party for those that fail the test."