LABOUR deputy leadership candidate Ian Murray has raised fears that SNP and Green supporters could cast votes in the contest in a letter to party leadership.

The Edinburgh South MP has called on Labour general secretary Jennie Formby to make sure supporters of other parties do not influence the outcome of its internal elections.

In a letter shared on social media, Murray expressing concerns that SNP and Green supporters may have had an affiliate vote through membership of a trade union.

It asks Formby what checks have been carried out on the additional 103,000 affiliate voters added to the party’s records since the start of the campaign.

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The MP wrote: “As a committed trade unionist, I strongly believe that all those in the trade union movement who share our Labour values should have a say in our internal contests, and I will always defend this.

“Concerns have, however, been raised in previous contests about supporters of rival parties such as the Green Party and the SNP receiving an affiliate vote.

“Therefore, please could you provide clarity on what checks the party has carried out to ensure the 103,000 additional affiliate members share our party’s values?”

Murray, the only Labour MP in Scotland, also said he has been “inundated” with reports of party members not receiving their ballot papers for the leadership and deputy leadership contests.

Requesting the numbers of paper and electronic ballots that have been issued, he also asked whether the amount of staff in place for verification of eligible voters would be enough.

Murray said he released the message due to the “party and wider public interest” in the issue.

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Thanking Formby for her work, he said: “I also hope there will be a full review of the process with a commitment to having clarity in all future elections.”

Murray is running against four other candidates, including Angela Rayner, Dawn Butler, Richard Burgon and Rosena Allin-Khan.

The result will be announced at special conference next month, when the winner of the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn will also be revealed.

Keir Starmer is currently predicted to win, based on recent polling, with Rebecca Long-Bailey expected to come in second. Lisa Nandy MP is also running.

Murray’s letter comes after the LabourList reported that Luke Akehurst, secretary of the Labour First group, has also raised concerns about the running of the ballots.

The National has contacted the Labour Party for comment.