"Vote for Jim Devine" - Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown gave a glowing tribute to Labour candidate Jim Devine, who he hopes will replace Cook as Livingston MP in the by-election on September 29.

Devine, a former psychiatric nurse who is now head of health for union Unison, was election agent to Cook for 22 years and was best man at his second wedding.

The Chancellor said: "The people of Livingston should vote for Jim Devine because of the issues he's talking about - the health service, education, public services, tackling child poverty and helping pensioners - are the concerns that I know from my own experience all of Scotland feels strongly about".

"Jim has campaigned on these issues for his whole life, particularly concerning St John's Hospital and the NHS."

"That's why we need someone local who knows what the challenges here are."

"It's even more important because he's succeeding someone who was a wonderful MP and one of his lifelong friends."

Sunday Mail