MP MacDougall dies after illness

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Scottish Labour MP John MacDougall has died after a long illness.

The MP for the Fife town of Glenrothes had been battling mesothelioma, an incurable asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lungs, for some time.

His death will trigger a by-election in the seat, which neighbours Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency.

Mr MacDougall, a former leader of Fife Council who was first elected to the Commons in 2001, was 60 when he died.

The Dunfermline-born married father-of-two had been a patient at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, where he was visited by Mr Brown on Monday.

The prime minister led the tributes to Mr MacDougall, which came from across the party spectrum.

John carried the respect of people right across the chamber and was passionate for the issues he believed in

Angus Robertson
SNP MP

John MacDougall tributes

Mr Brown said: "John MacDougall gave more than 30 years of distinguished public service to Fife and he will be remembered as a true servant of the people.

"Over three decades, he has been a good personal friend of mine."

Mr MacDougall started work at the RGC oil rig construction yard at Methil, before union activism led him into politics.

The former boilermaker led Fife Council for nine years before taking over the Central Fife Westminster seat, held by Henry McLeish, who went on to become Scottish first minister.

Following boundary changes, Mr MacDougall stayed in parliament as MP for the new Glenrothes constituency, where his majority at the last election was 10,664.

Mr MacDougall was known for his extensive connections in the EU, having sat on the body which investigated financial irregularity in the European Community.

He also served as vice-president of the Assembly of the European Regions.

Mr MacDougall, who had been fighting Mesothelioma for two years, never fully recovered from surgery in London last year and had been chronically ill.

John MacDougall's life in politics

1947 - Born in Dunfermline, Fife

1964 - Starts work at Methil oil rig construction yard

1978 - Becomes trade union shop steward

1981 - Joins Labour Party, becoming chairman of local branch

1982 - Elected as Fife councillor and serves for nearly 20 years

2001 - Elected MP for Central Fife

2005 - Re-elected as MP for new Glenrothes seat

He has left behind his wife Cathy and two children, Scott and Julie.

SNP MP Angus Robertson said he was saddened by Mr MacDougall's death.

He added: "We may have been on opposite sides in the House of Commons, but John carried the respect of people right across the chamber and was passionate for the issues he believed in and the welfare of his constituents, which he cared about deeply."

North East Fife MP and former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, said: "His courageous fight against illness in recent times meant parliament was denied his shrewd interventions on so many issues."

Scottish Conservative MP David Mundell, said: "John was a kind and decent man who was dedicated to the service of the people of Fife, with distinguished service both in parliament and local government."

The last by-election fought in Fife, in February 2006, saw the Liberal Democrats overturn a Labour majority of more than 11,500 to win the seat of Dunfermline and West Fife.

And in a by-election last month, the SNP won what was thought to have been one of Labour's safest seats, Glasgow East.