"I was considered as candidate" - Purcell
"Not true" - Cairns

Campaigning in the Glasgow East by-election today (Tuesday) Glasgow SNP MSP Bill Kidd said that Labour was not being straight with the voters after confusing messages about whether Steven Purcell was considered as a candidate by Gordon Brown.

Weekend papers reported that Steven Purcell had been approached by Gordon  Brown personally or by his allies to stand as a candidate. On Channel 4 News last night Steven Purcell never denied he had been approached and said he had been considered as a candidate.

However on Newsnight later that evening Scotland Office Minister David Cairns said it was not true that Gordon Brown had tried to get him to stand.

Commenting on the confusion Mr Kidd said: "These conflicting comments just add more confusion to Labour's chaotic candidate selection.

"However it says one important thing: that Labour are not being straight with the people of Glasgow East. They take them for granted.

"David Cairns comments expose the fog of confusion in the Labour camp. He point blank denied what the dogs in the street in Glasgow East know, and what Steven Purcell has never denied.

"David Cairns has a great deal of explaining today after his Newsnight interview."

Notes:

1. David Cairns on Newsnight, 7th July 2008

JEREMY PAXMAN: What about Mr Purcell?

DAVID CAIRNS: Mr Purcell was never a candidate in this, he never put his name forward, he never submitted a CV, he never wanted to stand.

JEREMY PAXMAN: Is it true that Gordon Brown did try to get him to stand?

DAVID CAIRNS: No, that's absolutely not true.

JEREMY PAXMAN: So, that's all made up, is it?

DAVID CAIRNS: I'm afraid to say, if it's in the newspapers it doesn't make it true.

2. Steven Purcell on Channel 4 News, 7th July 2008

GARY GIBBON [VOICEOVER]: And it must get over the embarrassment that five prominent Labour figures refused to stand for the seat. Even rejecting personal pleas from Gordon Brown.

GARY GIBBON [TO STEVEN PURCELL]: It's been an extraordinary phenomenon hasn't it? The Prime Minister trying to strong arm people to stand for a safe Labour seat. Normally people queue round the block for that sort of job, don't they?

STEVEN PURCELL: Well look, I was one of these people that was considered as a candidate. Nobody was strong armed. People had a sensible debate and the conclusion was...

GARY GIBBON: But you didn't want it and others didn't want it either.

STEVEN PURCELL: Well I want to support Margaret Curran

GARY GIBBON: Yeah but that's now...everybody...there's been lots of other people spoken to and at this point in time when I talk to you, no Labour candidate has been selected. What's going on?

STEVEN PURCELL: Well the local party will make that decision tonight and I think they will choose someone who will stand up for the east end of the city.