Labour’s election campaign was dealt a further blow as yet another candidate was sacked over allegations he posted ‘unacceptable’ messages online….
Labour’s election campaign was dealt a further blow as yet another candidate was sacked over allegations he posted ‘unacceptable’ messages online.
John Cowan, the PPC for East Cambridgeshire, is alleged to have posted inappropriate comments onto motoring and dating websites.
In the comments Mr Cowan is said to have boasted about his sexual exploits and made remarks about not wanting his children to marry a Muslim. He is also said to have admitted to illegally paying his cleaner ‘cash in hand’.
A Labour spokesman confirmed that Mr Cowan was no longer the PPC for the constituency and that they were looking into the possibility of expelling him from the party altogether.
Mr Cowan joined Labour after being expelled from the LibDems in 2004 over similar ‘inappropriate’ online posts.
Meanwhile the Labour party appeared to be on the brink of accepting electoral defeat as the jostling began to replace Gordon Brown. As Nick Clegg ruled out working with Brown, Alan Johnston made what appeared to be an early ‘pitch’ for the leadership and David Milliband noticeably avoided ruling out electoral reform – a key LibDem demand.
The Labour campaign has struggled from the outset and Brown’s poor showing in the first two leaders debates have left them trailing in third place in many UK wide polls. There were reports of disagreements and angry exchanges over the direction of the party’s election campaign.
SKY’s Scottish debate, broadcast throughout the UK, saw Labour’s Jim Murphy struggle badly as viewers put him fourth out of four on a miserable 5%, well behind the ‘winner’ Alex Salmond who attracted 43%.
It also emerged that Labour had desperately sought the support of both the LibDems and Conservatives in an attempt at persuading broadcasters to reduce the time they spend analysing the debates, the other parties refused Labour’s request.