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MP MacDougall dies after illness MP MacDougall dies after illness
(20 minutes later)
Scottish Labour MP John MacDougall has died after a long illness.Scottish Labour MP John MacDougall has died after a long illness.
The MP for Glenrothes, in Fife, had been suffering from Mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs. The MP for the Fife town of Glenrothes had been battling Mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs, for some time.
His death will trigger a by-election in the seat, which neighbours UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath constituency. His death will trigger a by-election in the seat, which neighbours Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency.
Mr MacDougall, a former leader of Fife Council and a strong pro-European, was first elected to the Commons in 2001.Mr MacDougall, a former leader of Fife Council and a strong pro-European, was first elected to the Commons in 2001.
The married father-of-two, born in Dunfmerline in 1947, was a former boilermaker who went on to work for the Institute of Directors. The married father-of-two, born in Dunfmerline in 1947, started his working life in the docks at Rosyth before union activism led him into politics.
The former boilermaker went on to lead Fife Council for nine years before taking over the Central Fife Westminster seat, held by Henry McLeish, who went on to become Scottish first minister.
Following boundary changes, Mr MacDougall stayed in parliament as MP for the new Glenrothes constituency, where his majority at the last election was more than 10,000.
Mr MacDougall was known for his extensive connections in the EU, having sat on the body which investigated financial irregularity in the European Community.Mr MacDougall was known for his extensive connections in the EU, having sat on the body which investigated financial irregularity in the European Community.
He also served as vice-president of the Assembly of the European Regions.He also served as vice-president of the Assembly of the European Regions.
Mr MacDougall, who had been fighting Mesothelioma for two years, never fully recovered from surgery last year and had been chronically ill.
He has left behind his wife, Cathy and two children, Scott and Julie.