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Jowell makes apology to fellow MP Jowell makes apology to fellow MP
(about 17 hours later)
Tessa Jowell has apologised to a fellow Labour MP for not telling him she was to visit his constituency, the scene of a controversial party selection battle. Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has apologised to a fellow Labour MP for not saying she was to visit his seat, the scene of a party selection battle.
She did not inform John Austin, the retiring MP for Erith and Thamesmead, she would attend a meeting organised by one candidate seeking to succeed him.She did not inform John Austin, the retiring MP for Erith and Thamesmead, she would attend a meeting organised by one candidate seeking to succeed him.
Complaints that non-local candidates are being favoured have caused ructions during the south-east London contest.Complaints that non-local candidates are being favoured have caused ructions during the south-east London contest.
A hustings was called off after allegations of ballet box tampering.A hustings was called off after allegations of ballet box tampering.
'Fair complaint''Fair complaint'
The candidates to succeed Mr Austin, who has a majority of more than 10,000, include Georgia Gould, the 22-year-old daughter of Lord Gould, a once key aide to former prime minister Tony Blair.The candidates to succeed Mr Austin, who has a majority of more than 10,000, include Georgia Gould, the 22-year-old daughter of Lord Gould, a once key aide to former prime minister Tony Blair.
There have been claims Ms Gould is being "parachuted in" by the Labour leadership at the expense of candidates with stronger local connections.There have been claims Ms Gould is being "parachuted in" by the Labour leadership at the expense of candidates with stronger local connections.
Ms Jowell, Olympics minister, said she had been asked by Ms Gould to come to the constituency to speak about the benefits for the area and its economy of the 2012 Games. Ms Jowell said she had been asked by Ms Gould to come to the constituency to speak about the benefits for the area and its economy of the 2012 Games.
But in a breach of Parliamentary protocol she failed to tell Mr Austin about the visit in advance.But in a breach of Parliamentary protocol she failed to tell Mr Austin about the visit in advance.
She said there was a good reason for this as she had been on holiday and only told of the meeting on the morning it took place.She said there was a good reason for this as she had been on holiday and only told of the meeting on the morning it took place.
She said she had written to Mr Austin and the Commons Speaker to apologise for her oversight.She said she had written to Mr Austin and the Commons Speaker to apologise for her oversight.
"That is his complaint," Ms Jowell told Sky News, adding Mr Austin's concern was "perfectly fair"."That is his complaint," Ms Jowell told Sky News, adding Mr Austin's concern was "perfectly fair".
But she said there were "practical reasons" to explain her mistake, adding she had checked with party officials that she was not breaching any rules in speaking on behalf of a candidate.But she said there were "practical reasons" to explain her mistake, adding she had checked with party officials that she was not breaching any rules in speaking on behalf of a candidate.
Describing Ms Gould as "an extremely talented young woman", she said there was a "lot of support for her" in the constituency.Describing Ms Gould as "an extremely talented young woman", she said there was a "lot of support for her" in the constituency.
Mr Austin had previously lodged a formal complaint with Ray Collins, the Labour Party's general secretary, over alleged rule breaches by campaigners encouraging local members to sign up for postal votes.Mr Austin had previously lodged a formal complaint with Ray Collins, the Labour Party's general secretary, over alleged rule breaches by campaigners encouraging local members to sign up for postal votes.
'Hot contest''Hot contest'
The contest to choose a successor to Mr Austin was taken over by the central party, sparking controversy.The contest to choose a successor to Mr Austin was taken over by the central party, sparking controversy.
In the latest twist in what Ms Jowell described as a "hotly contested campaign", the party postponed a hustings on Saturday after discovering a ballot box had apparently been tampered with and began an investigation.In the latest twist in what Ms Jowell described as a "hotly contested campaign", the party postponed a hustings on Saturday after discovering a ballot box had apparently been tampered with and began an investigation.
A seal on a ballot box containing previously received ballot papers was found to be broken and the event was postponed to maintain the integrity of the process, a party spokesman said.A seal on a ballot box containing previously received ballot papers was found to be broken and the event was postponed to maintain the integrity of the process, a party spokesman said.
The other seven people hoping to be Labour's candidate for Erith and Thamesmead at the next election are: former minister Melanie Johnson, Greenwich councillor Angela Cornforth, Kensington and Chelsea councillor Marianne Alapini, former Bexley councillor Teresa Pearce, Unite union official Rachael Maskell, Greenwich councillor Jagir Sekhon and Emily Bird.The other seven people hoping to be Labour's candidate for Erith and Thamesmead at the next election are: former minister Melanie Johnson, Greenwich councillor Angela Cornforth, Kensington and Chelsea councillor Marianne Alapini, former Bexley councillor Teresa Pearce, Unite union official Rachael Maskell, Greenwich councillor Jagir Sekhon and Emily Bird.