Labour steps up inquiries into suicide of MP

Labour Party inquiries into claims surrounding the suicide of its MP, Gordon McMaster, were stepped up yesterday

Labour Party inquiries into claims surrounding the suicide of its MP, Gordon McMaster, were stepped up yesterday. The party's Chief Whip, Mr Nick Brown, charged by Mr Tony Blair with investigating accusations about a "whispering campaign" by Labour figures against the Paisley South MP, headed to Scotland to start inquiries.

It is understood that Mr Brown has already interviewed the leading players in the controversy, but might wish to see them again.

Meanwhile, the Scottish National Party (SNP) suspended one of its councillors for allegedly making unsubstantiated claims about Mr McMaster after the MP's death.

Former Labour deputy chief whip, Lord (Don) Dixon, and Labour MP, Mr Tommy Graham, both reportedly named by Mr McMaster in his suicide note as prime suspects in the alleged smear campaign against him, hit back with claims about the MP's health and state of mind.

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But Mr McMaster's agent, Mr Joe Hill, defended his close friend against suggestions that personal problems had made him unsuitable for promotion.

Mr Brown is understood to have last week interviewed Lord Dixon, Mr Graham and Ms Irene Adams - Paisley North MP and a friend of Mr McMaster - who has pledged to produce evidence of a smear campaign against him and also herself.

The SNP yesterday confirmed it had suspended Councillor Richard Vassie, whose name was linked by the Scotland on Sunday newspaper to rumours that had been circulating about Mr McMaster since his death.

SNP chief executive, Mr Michael Russell, said the move followed allegations that Mr Vassie, the councillor for Glenburn South in Paisley, "passed on an unsubstantiated story about Gordon McMaster to a Sunday newspaper".