Dewar 'feared MP challenge' claim

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Donald Dewar did not encourage Labour MPs to stand for the Scottish Parliament because he feared competition, it has been claimed.

Labour peer Lord Foulkes suggested Scotland's inaugural first minister, who died in 2000, feared too many Labour MPs moving to Edinburgh.

The claim was questioned by Mr Dewar's former spin doctor, David Whitton.

But former Labour MP Dennis Canavan said Mr Dewar actively tried to prevent some MPs going to Holyrood.

'Not good enough'

Lord Foulkes' comments came in an interview with broadcaster Lesley Riddoch to be broadcast on Tuesday on BBC Radio Scotland.

When the Scottish Parliament began in 1999, five MPs made the move with Mr Dewar - Sam Galbraith, John Home Robertson, Henry McLeish, Malcolm Chisholm, and John McAllion.

They were joined by Lord Watson, the former Labour MP Mike Watson.

Two MPs, Mr Canavan and Ian Davidson, failed to win places on Labour's list of Holyrood candidates.

Mr Canavan, whom Mr Dewar was said to consider "not good enough" for the Scottish Parliament, then won election to Holyrood as an independent.

Donald conspired to stop certain MPs from standing for the Scottish Parliament by setting up a rigged selection system headed by mediocre stooges. Dennis Canavan MSP

Lord Foulkes said in the interview: "To be honest, Donald Dewar didn't encourage too many people to come up with him to Scotland.

"I think he didn't want too many people around competing and challenging him."

He said: "Donald has a great deal to commend him and everyone does that.

"But he also wasn't the greatest enthusiast for us all coming up and making our mark in Scotland, otherwise I think some more people might have done."

Lord Foulkes, formerly Scotland Office minister George Foulkes, plans to stand at the Holyrood elections in May.

'Rigged selection'

He said: "Now that the opportunity has arisen and Jack McConnell is keen to see people like me standing for the Scottish Parliament, I was very enthusiastic to take up the offer."

Mr Canavan said: "Donald conspired to stop certain MPs from standing for the Scottish Parliament by setting up a rigged selection system headed by mediocre stooges.

"Their job was to weed out anyone who might challenge the Labour leadership and as a result the Scottish Parliament was unfortunately deprived of some good experienced parliamentarians."

Mr Whitton, who like Lord Foulkes is standing as a Labour Holyrood candidate in May, said: "I don't think Donald actively encouraged anyone to stand as he felt it would be a personal decision for the individual.

"However several Labour MPs and one peer did make the move."