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Labour may challenge Scots vote Holyrood vote may face challenges
(about 2 hours later)
A Labour candidate may take legal action over the Scottish parliament election results, the BBC has learned. Two separate challenges to the results of the Scottish Parliament are being considered, it has emerged.
Former minister Allan Wilson, who narrowly lost in Cunninghame North, is discussing the possibility of a court challenge with Labour party solicitors. A lawyer is preparing to contest the outcome of the Glasgow region on behalf of those whose ballots were rejected.
The move comes as the SNP, who won most seats in Thursday's elections, begin informal coalition talks. And former minister Allan Wilson, who narrowly lost in Cunninghame North, is discussing the possibility of a court challenge with Labour party solicitors.
He lost to the SNP by 48 votes in a constituency where there were more than 1,000 rejected papers.
The moves came as the SNP, who won most seats in Thursday's elections, began informal coalition talks.
Any potential case would be taken by Mr Wilson as an individual, but could lead to other challenges being mounted.Any potential case would be taken by Mr Wilson as an individual, but could lead to other challenges being mounted.
First Minister Jack McConnell said he did not want to comment on the situation in Cunninghame North.First Minister Jack McConnell said he did not want to comment on the situation in Cunninghame North.
Spoiled papersSpoiled papers
"If there is to be a challenge at the local level in any constituency it would be a matter for the local candidate and agent," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Sunday Live programme."If there is to be a challenge at the local level in any constituency it would be a matter for the local candidate and agent," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Sunday Live programme.
"They themselves need to take the decision about whether to pursue a challenge.""They themselves need to take the decision about whether to pursue a challenge."
Up to 100,000 ballot papers were counted as spoiled across Scotland in the election.Up to 100,000 ballot papers were counted as spoiled across Scotland in the election.
Former Press Association political editor Chris Moncrieff said lawyers would say this had scant legal basis, "but the very scale of spoiled papers may alter their view".
There is definitely the need for an investigation into the conduct of the election SNP sourceThere is definitely the need for an investigation into the conduct of the election SNP source
Labour finished with 46 seats in the 129-member Scottish Parliament. Alex Salmond's Scottish National Party narrowly emerging as the largest group with 47.Labour finished with 46 seats in the 129-member Scottish Parliament. Alex Salmond's Scottish National Party narrowly emerging as the largest group with 47.
Labour's Allan Wilson lost Cunninghame North to SNP candidate Kenneth Gibson by just 48 votes.Labour's Allan Wilson lost Cunninghame North to SNP candidate Kenneth Gibson by just 48 votes.
But the SNP dismissed the prospect of a court overturning their victory.But the SNP dismissed the prospect of a court overturning their victory.
An SNP source told the BBC: "There is definitely the need for an investigation into the conduct of the election, which is why Alex Salmond has called for a judicial inquiry.An SNP source told the BBC: "There is definitely the need for an investigation into the conduct of the election, which is why Alex Salmond has called for a judicial inquiry.
"But there is absolutely no evidence that this has benefited any one party." The source described the potential action as "sour grapes"."But there is absolutely no evidence that this has benefited any one party." The source described the potential action as "sour grapes".
Technical failures, confusion about how to fill in ballot papers and problems with postal votes have all been blamed for the unusually high number of spoiled ballot papers.Technical failures, confusion about how to fill in ballot papers and problems with postal votes have all been blamed for the unusually high number of spoiled ballot papers.