Curran begins by-election battle

Margaret Curran launched her campaign in Shettleston Glasgow East: Candidate profiles

Labour's Margaret Curran has launched her campaign for the Glasgow East Westminster by-election.

The Glasgow Baillieston MSP was chosen as the party's candidate at a meeting on Monday night.

Tuesday also saw Ian Robertson launch his campaign for the Liberal Democrats, with Frances Curran doing likewise for the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP).

The SNP and Conservative campaigns will challenge Ms Curran to stand down as an MSP if she is elected to Westminster.

It follows her stated intention to continue in both roles for the immediate future if she wins Glasgow East.

Speaking at the launch of her campaign in Shettleston, Ms Curran said: "We have a job to do and the Labour fight-back starts right here, right now.

"I understand that the Labour Party must step up to the challenge in front of us.

I don't think the Scottish people want independence. But my focus just now is on the issues that matter to the people - poverty, jobs and regeneration Margaret Curran MSP Labour candidate

"I am determined to lead that challenge and I will take the Labour Party forward."

Ms Curran, 49, a former Holyrood minister, was chosen as Labour's candidate after the previous front-runner pulled out citing family reasons.

Speaking from a wooden box on the pavement outside a Co-op store in Glasgow's Shettleston Road, Ms Curran said she would take the fight to the SNP.

She also said that if she was elected, doing two jobs - MSP and MP - would not be a problem.

"If you want a job done, ask a busy woman. If I'm that busy woman, I will do it," she said.

Ms Curran deflected questions on whether she believed there should be an early referendum on Scottish independence, as advocated by former Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander.

"I am not frightened of the verdict of the Scottish people," she said.

"I don't think the Scottish people want independence. But my focus just now is on the issues that matter to the people - poverty, jobs and regeneration."

The constituency was one of the safest Labour seats in Scotland at the last election, with a majority of more than 13,500 over the SNP.

It also had the highest Labour vote share in the city at the General Election.

Other candidates declared include Glasgow councillor John Mason for the SNP, university worker Davena Rankin for the Conservatives, retired GP Eileen Duke for the Scottish Greens and council worker Tricia McLeish for Solidarity.