Ex-ministers Dawn Butler and Tony McNulty in fight for Labour seat in Brent Central

 
Joseph Watts9 October 2013
WEST END FINAL

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Two former Labour ministers who lost their place in Parliament after the expenses scandal will battle to be the new MP for a key London seat.

In a dramatic return to politics, Dawn Butler and Tony McNulty have confirmed their bids to become Labour’s candidate for Brent Central.

Last month, sitting Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather announced she would quit politics. Labour is now widely expected to win the seat at the 2015 general election. Former Brent South MP Ms Butler said: “We need a champion, someone who will fight to bring the resources and funds into our community that will benefit all of us.”

Mr McNulty, who was MP for Harrow East, said: “Politics is in my blood and I’ve got something to offer. I’ve spent my whole life around Brent and Harrow. I’m a north-west London boy.”

When Brent South was abolished, Ms Butler, who was minister for youth engagement, stood in the new Brent Central constituency in 2010, losing to Ms Teather by 1,345 votes. The Labour candidate’s campaign was tainted by reports she claimed for a “whirlpool” bath, which she denied. In 2009, opponents criticised her for claiming thousands of pounds for a second London home despite having one within 10 miles of Westminster. She had a house in Wembley and one in Stratford.

She said the expenses were legitimate, she was exonerated by an inquiry and she did not have to pay back any cash.

Mr McNulty left his post as employment minister in 2009 after it emerged he claimed thousands of pounds for a constituency home his parents lived in. He denied wrongdoing and maintained he followed the rules, but apologised to the Commons and repaid £13,837. In 2010 he lost Harrow East to Conservative Bob Blackman.

There are reported to be dozens of possible runners, including Brent council leader Muhammed Butt.

Nominations close at the end of the month. The party hopes to confirm a candidate by December. Mr McNulty, who is married to Brent council interim chief executive Christine Gilbert, said: “I expect the fight to be competitive.”

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