Labour names by-election hopeful

The Scottish Labour Party has selected its candidate to fight the Glasgow North East by-election.

William Bain, 36, is a lecturer in public law and current secretary of the local constituency party.

He will fight the seat vacated by Michael Martin after he stood down as Speaker of the House of Commons earlier this month.

No date has yet been set for the by-election which could be held as late as September or October.

Mr Martin became the first Speaker to be forced from office in 300 years following widespread public revulsion at the number of MPs who were seen to take advantage of the Commons' expenses rules.

His replacement, Conservative MP John Bercow, was appointed after a six-hour election process last week.

BBC NEWS