KEZIA'S NEW CONSTITUENCY HAS MONEY PROBLEMS

We are expecting a massive coverage of this story, because, as you know, when there is a hint of impropriety in Scottish politics, proof or none, the papers are on it like a rash making it front page news for weeks...so I'm sure you'll all remember that you read it here first... (although Munguin found the story in the Edinburgh Evening News.

Briefly, it seems that around 18 months ago a sum of £10,000 went missing from a Labour Party constituency office in Edinburgh Eastern constituency, where Kezia Dugdale intends to stand in the General Election in 2016.

Kezia is pinning her hopes on winning Edinburgh Eastern

The local membership has been worried for some time about the lack of published audited accounts, and most recently because the branch office holders and the party have been investigating the disappearance of this money for some time with no result.

The branch treasurer has been suspended while they carry out an investigation into the money's disappearance, as would be normal in these circumstances. It must be of considerable worry to her that the problem has dragged on, and obviously the members are starting get concerned about money for the election campaign.

They have written to the party, but received a reply saying that there was a delay in getting reports from the bank and other organisations. Of course I can understand this, banks are busy places, but a delay of 18 months? Surely, you'd think, if the bank manager realised that there was a possibility that the money had gone missing, he could and would expedite the requisite paperwork pretty swiftly?

The party's reply went on to say that progress had been made in recent weeks and that a report would soon be ready with recommendations for the future conduct of local party finances. But still nothing about the £10,000.

Note to self: Irn Bru gives you yellow teeth. Avoid!

So, dismayed with the lack of serious progress into the disappearance of the cash, some of the local members have contacted the police.

Clearly £10,000 is a large sum for a local branch of a party. 

It is essential that the money be found as quickly as possible so that they can fund their campaign for Kezia's election.

As we said, it is likely that this will be the top story on 'Reporting Jackie' and in all the papers for the next few weeks, so we won't need to keep you updated.