Unite tries to oust Edinburgh South candidate after accusing him of attacking party leaders

This article is more than 10 months old

This article is more than 10 months old

Ian Murray, the Labour MP with the largest majority in Scotland, faces a battle to remain as its candidate for Edinburgh South after Unite members called for a reselection contest.

One of Labour’s most vocal anti-Brexit campaigners, Murray is thought to be the only one of its seven MPs in Scotland to face a selection contest after Unite accused him of systematically undermining party leaders and attacking the union directly.

Murray has clashed with Len McCluskey, Unite’s combative general secretary, over Corbyn’s leadership, the union’s conduct and on party policy on Brexit. Murray is also a leader of the People’s Vote campaign for a second EU referendum.

In a column for the Scotsman after Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger and others left Labour to set up Change UK in February, Murray wrote: “It is now a movement where a powerful trade union official like Len McCluskey is willing to ignore the plight of the workers he represents by standing in the way of a public vote on Brexit despite it being party policy.”

Murray has also clashed with Pat Rafferty, the regional organiser for Unite Scotland, attacking the union for its “clumsy” strategy of signing up its members as Labour affiliate members to swing the Scottish party leadership contest in 2017.

A Unite Scotland spokesman said: “This decision was taken by Unite members following consultation with the relevant committees and branches of the union under our democratic processes.

“Our members are clearly concerned that Ian Murray has consistently undermined the Labour leadership in Scotland and at Westminster, and has on occasion attacked our union.

“No MP is entitled to their seat. It is for Mr Murray to now demonstrate why Unite members in Edinburgh South should return him as their representative.”

Murray does not know how many affiliates members are registered in his seat but Unite need the support of at least a third to trigger a reselection contest. Local sources say so far other unions, including the GMB, Community and Unison, have indicated they oppose Unite’s move.

Murray tweeted on Tuesday he was disappointed Unite was prioritising his deselection while he was fighting to build a cross-party coalition to stop Brexit. “My constituents are my priority and I won’t be distracted from fighting for them,” he said.

Ian Murray (@IanMurrayMP) Brexit and fighting for my constituents is, and always has been, my only priorities. Disappointed I even have to say this but here’s my statement. I’ve only ever put my communities and constituents first and that won’t change. pic.twitter.com/npNd2EBBIb

Murray’s supporters point to his popularity in the seat. He increased his majority in the 2017 snap election from 2,637 votes (5.4%) in 2015 to 15,514 (32.4%), while making clear he opposed Brexit and Corbyn’s leadership. In 2010, Murray won the seat with a wafer-thin majority of 316 (0.7%).

There have been long-running tensions in Murray’s constituency party between his supporters and pro-Corbyn members, with Corbyn activists packing local meetings in the past.

His allies believe Murray’s position is secure but many centrist members in Edinburgh have left the party, including Murray’s close ally Kezia Dugdale, the party’s former Scottish leader.