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Branch suspended by Labour party Branch suspended by Labour party
(about 1 hour later)
Labour has suspended its largest constituency party in Scotland amid an ongoing row over the re-selection of local MP Anne Moffat as a candidate. Labour has suspended business at its largest Scottish constituency party amid a row over the re-selection of local MP Anne Moffat as a candidate.
The East Lothian branch is now being managed by the Labour Party's National Executive Committee in London. The East Lothian constituency is now effectively overseen by the Labour Party's National Executive Committee.
Ms Moffat declined to comment in detail, saying it was an "internal Labour Party matter".Ms Moffat declined to comment in detail, saying it was an "internal Labour Party matter".
Labour insiders have said the local party had behaved "unconstitutionally" and "defied" the national party.Labour insiders have said the local party had behaved "unconstitutionally" and "defied" the national party.
The move means there can be no formal meetings of the constituency party or business transacted, although political activity and campaigning can continue.
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray, who is the MSP for East Lothian, said his work as a local politician would continue as normal.Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray, who is the MSP for East Lothian, said his work as a local politician would continue as normal.
This is a matter for the constituency Labour Party and the party at a national level Iain GrayScottish Labour leaderThis is a matter for the constituency Labour Party and the party at a national level Iain GrayScottish Labour leader
The suspension came after a meeting of the NEC on Tuesday, amid a lengthy, ongoing dispute about whether Ms Moffat should be re-selected to defend the East Lothian seat at the next UK election.The suspension came after a meeting of the NEC on Tuesday, amid a lengthy, ongoing dispute about whether Ms Moffat should be re-selected to defend the East Lothian seat at the next UK election.
The move means no political activity or campaigning will be possible in the name of the Labour Party in the constituency, although volunteers will be able to work directly for Ms Moffat.
It is expected that a full internal investigation will be carried out by the national executive into the local party and its affairs.It is expected that a full internal investigation will be carried out by the national executive into the local party and its affairs.
Mr Gray said: "This is a matter for the constituency Labour Party and the party at a national level.Mr Gray said: "This is a matter for the constituency Labour Party and the party at a national level.
"I am pleased that the National Executive Committee is seeking to resolve it and I hope that will happen quickly.""I am pleased that the National Executive Committee is seeking to resolve it and I hope that will happen quickly."