Published: Thursday, 18th March, 2010 9:00am

'We've not bullied MP Anne'

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Anne Moffat MP

OFFICIALS from East Lothian Constituency Labour Party have strongly denied any allegations of "bullying, intimidation or harassment" of county MP Anne Moffat as members prepared to gather this week and vote on the future of under-fire politician.

The Labour MP is currently facing a deselection process from her local party, but has claimed "vindictiveness and viciousness" from local members hampered her recovery from illness and alleged that she had suffered "bullying and harassment" as she battled a brain haemorrhage last year.

The constituency party has accused Ms Moffat, the first ever female MP to represent the county, of failing in her duties by not attending important meetings, not keeping in touch with local members on constituency matters and, more seriously, failing to campaign for the party.

In a long list of submissions to the NEC, ELCLP claim "the MP did not attend the Constituency AGM held on April 24, 2009", "has not responded to reasonable and relevant correspondence from the Executive Committee", "failed to work with the Constituency Party to establish an effective and working campaign committee" and "did not vote in the European Elections".

They also claim she has "made provocative and divisive press statements concerning local Party members".

The long-running feud between Ms Moffat and her local party is threatening to derail Labour's attempts to retain the, once safe, East Lothian seat.

A full meeting of the county's Labour members to decide Ms Moffat's fate is taking place tonight (Friday) at Knox Academy, Haddington, though any decision must be ratified by the Labour party's National Executive Committee before it can be enforced.

As she sought to gather support this week, Ms Moffat released a statement accusing the local party of denying elderly and disabled members their "democratic right to participate" by refusing to allow a postal vote as part of the deselection process.

She also hit back against her critics in a letter to all the county's members by asking for "solidarity" and "to not allow personalities to dominate politics".

And in her submissions to the party's executive committee Ms Moffat said she found it difficult to "lead and direct the campaign meetings" due to her "ongoing health problems". She also claims she experienced "hostility" from members of ELCLP and left a constituency meeting feeling "bullied and intimidated".

But party officials have said they "do not recognise the East Lothian Labour Party that Anne Moffat is describing in the media" and "ELCLP has repeatedly and over a long period asked Anne Moffat to bring forward evidence to support her allegations of bullying, intimidation or harassment. To date no such evidence has been forthcoming."

ELCLP chair Willie Innes said: "It is unfortunate some members will not be able to attend the meeting on Friday, but we are only following Labour Party rules. Anne Moffat was happy to accept the rules during the selection process when the unions had the same voting power as the local branch."

Harry Cairney, president of Prestonpans Labour Club, appeared on the BBC's Newsnight programme on Monday evening calling Ms Moffat "incompetent" several times, while also making inferences over the several police enquiries involving Ms Moffat's allegations of being assaulted and suffering vandalism to her home.

Ms Moffat was unavailable for comment despite numerous calls being placed by the Courier, but in a press statement release this week she said: "The Newsnight programme featuring Harry Cairney will have shocked many of you and will have demonstrated for all to see the levels of intimidation and persecution I have endured.

"My ability to carry out the role of MP for East Lothian has been questioned by certain individuals and I have responded to this by writing to the Labour members here in East Lothian regarding the complaints raised by some members of the GC.

"I have provided a comprehensive and detailed response to each of the issues raised and in turn, have had very positive feedback from the membership regarding my frank and honest explanations for decisions I have had to make.

"There are many elements of Mr Cairneys contribution which I will not even dignify with an answer, the tone and content of some of his allegations and insinuations illustrates clearly, why I have chosen to distance myself from certain elements of the CLP. As always I am open to any constituents who want to speak to me directly regarding my role within the constituency, at Parliament and within the current CLP structure.

"On Friday evening a meeting will be held to allow the membership of East Lothian Labour Party the opportunity to determine whether or not I will lead Labour into the General Election.

It has been described by Mr Cairney as finally "allowing a one member one vote" decision. Sadly and disappointingly for democracy this is not in fact the case. Only the members who can physically get to the venue will be afforded a vote.

The members who are elderly, disabled, or have other commitments will be denied their democratic right to participate. To date over 30 members have requested a postal vote. The spirit of the Labour Party is built on the principles of solidarity, tolerance and respect for all. This is surely best demonstrated when our party is inclusive and transparent in our democratic process."

The 51-year-old MP has been dogged by controversy over expense claims and her treatment of local party staff ever since she was first elected in 2001. The party voted to replace her in 2007, but the move was eventually blocked when Ms Moffat garnered the support of the Unite union.

The local party was subsequently suspended for four months following a vote of no confidence in Ms Moffat. And in January this year, local delegates voted 25-to-5 in favour of reopening the selection process.