Reading MP faces party vote

Jane Griffiths is pro-European and a Blair loyalist.

Labour members are choosing their electoral candidate for Reading East after refusing to automatically reselect the sitting MP Jane Griffiths.

Elected in 1997, Mrs Griffiths is fighting to stay on against four other party members at a meeting at the University of Reading on Sunday.

The 49-year-old is outspoken on a number of issues, including her support for the government's military action in Iraq.

But she has embraced some policies well outside the Blairite mainstream, such as her call for legalised brothels.

She also caused controversy by saying a small number of men in the Labour party wanted to get rid of her.

In response, 17 female members signed an open letter to a local newspaper denouncing "wild conspiracy theories" by the MP.

A former translator for the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and BBC editor, Mrs Griffiths speaks five languages and is pro-European and a Blair loyalist.

The four other candidates are lawyer Farmida Bi, Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) staff member Nicholas Milton, Reading Councillor Tony Page and teacher Christine Shawcroft.