Labour appoints general secretary

The position became vacant because of the row about political donations

Ray Collins, a senior official at public-services union Unite, has been appointed Labour's general secretary.

The 53-year-old, responsible for strategy at the union, has been a party member for more than three decades and sits on its national policy forum.

He fills a role which has been vacant for several months. City manager David Pitt-Watson chose not to take up the post after being offered it in March.

Mr Collins described Labour as "a fantastic organisation".

Dianne Hayter, who chairs the party's executive committee, said he would bring "experience, enthusiasm and excellent organisational, financial and leadership skills" when he took up the position on 1 August.

Mr Collins succeeds Peter Watt, who resigned last November.

Mr Watt quit after admitting he knew a businessman - David Abrahams - had donated money to Labour using the names of other people. Mr Watt said he had not known that the practice was wrong.