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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 the Fife town of Glenrothes had been battling Mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs, for some time.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 Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Kirkcaldy and 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 who was first elected to the Commons in 2001, was 60 when he died.Mr MacDougall, a former leader of Fife Council who was first elected to the Commons in 2001, was 60 when he died.
The Dunfermline-born married father-of-two had been a patient at the Victoria Hospital, in Kirkcaldy, where he was visited by Mr Brown on Monday.The Dunfermline-born married father-of-two had been a patient at the Victoria Hospital, in Kirkcaldy, where he was visited by Mr Brown on Monday.
Mr MacDougall started work at the RGC oil rig construction yard at Methil, before union activism led him into politics.Mr MacDougall started work at the RGC oil rig construction yard at Methil, before union activism led him into politics.
All our thoughts are with his family at this time Labour party spokesman John MacDougall's life in politics 1947 - Born in Dunfermline, Fife1964 - Starts work at Methil oil rig construction yard1978 - Becomes trade union shop steward1981 - Joins Labour Party, becoming chairman of local branchElected as Fife councillor and serves for nearly 20 years2001 - Elected MP for Central Fife2005 - Re-elected as MP for new Glenrothes seat
The former boilermaker 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. The former boilermaker led 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 10,664.Following boundary changes, Mr MacDougall stayed in parliament as MP for the new Glenrothes constituency, where his majority at the last election was 10,664.
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 in London last year and had been chronically ill.Mr MacDougall, who had been fighting Mesothelioma for two years, never fully recovered from surgery in London last year and had been chronically ill.
He has left behind his wife, Cathy and two children, Scott and Julie.He has left behind his wife, Cathy and two children, Scott and Julie.
A Labour Party spokesman said: "All our thoughts are with his family at this time."A Labour Party spokesman said: "All our thoughts are with his family at this time."
The last by-election fought in Fife, in February 2006, saw the Liberal Democrats overturn a Labour majority of more than 11,500 to win the seat of Dunfermline and West Fife.The last by-election fought in Fife, in February 2006, saw the Liberal Democrats overturn a Labour majority of more than 11,500 to win the seat of Dunfermline and West Fife.
And in a by-election last month, the SNP won one of Labour's safest seats, Glasgow East.And in a by-election last month, the SNP won one of Labour's safest seats, Glasgow East.