Labour Party to draw up fresh Falkirk constituency candidates list

The Labour Party is to draw up a new shortlist of candidates for the Westminster seat of Falkirk.

Controversy has overshadowed the selection battle to replace Eric Joyce - who is stepping down at the next general election.

Party officials took control after it was alleged that the Unite union had interfered with the selection process.

The union insisted it had done nothing wrong, adding that it had operated "entirely within the rules".

A Unite statement went on to accuse the Labour leadership of "the mass disenfranchisement of Unite members and other decent men and women in Falkirk".

The row centres on allegations that the union encouraged its members to join the constituency party in order to provide support to a favoured union candidate.

Labour's National Executive Committee investigated the matter and produced an internal report which led officials to take charge of the selection process.

The party said the fresh selection process would be done fairly.