Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 8:00am

Resign now, MP Anne told

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Anne Moffat MP

East Lothian Constituency Labour Party has called for county MP Anne Moffat to resign following the party's NEC decision to give the go-ahead for a local all-member meeting to decide her political future.

Officers from the ELCLP say the under-fire MP should "stand down" as the county's Labour Westminster candidate and say her prolonging the situation "is damaging and harmful to the party and our election prospects".

The Labour Party's National Executive Committee met this week to discuss the proposal, and has now decided to give the go-ahead for a local all-member meeting.

Given the apparent strength of feeling against Ms Moffat in the local party, it is hard to see how she will survive.

Ms Moffat could not be contacted by the Courier, but has been quoted as saying she will fight the deselection process.

The ELCLP has applauded the NEC's decision to reopen the selection process, and a statement from its officers states: "The officers of ELCLP welcome the decision of the Party National Executive Committee (NEC) to call an all-member meeting in the constituency.

"We note that this decision gives the constituency party sufficient time to select another candidate ahead of the General Election.

"East Lothian Labour Party, with the agreement of the membership, can pick a first class candidate capable of uniting the party and delivering a Labour Member of Parliament for East Lothian.

"As the Officers of the Party we strongly believe however that prolonging this matter is damaging and harmful to the party and our election prospects. In the interests of unity and common sense we call Anne Moffat to stand down immediately as Prospective Candidate for East Lothian."

But supporters of the beleagured MP have hit back at her critics claiming the decision could backfire on the party so close to the General Election.

Jimmy Yule, chair of Prestonpans Community Council, said: "I support Anne 100 per cent, and we are not afraid of the one-member, one-vote. The numbers add up in her favour and we are confident of winning the contest.

"A certain few have never taken to Anne and they have worked hard to try and undermine her at every opportunity.

"The ELCLP has damaged the Labour Party much more than Anne Moffat ever has. It's shocking what they are doing so close to the General Election."

A Labour Party spokesperson said: "The NEC considered the request from the general committee to hold a special meeting to consider whether Anne Moffat should be the Labour candidate.

Due to the exceptional nature of the circumstances, it is expected the NEC will agree with this request and so an all-member meeting will shortly be held to allow all members in East Lothian to attend and decide the best way forward."