Asian female candidate wins appeal

Labour's previous candidate Robert Evans MEP witnessed a shock upset as the Liberal Democrats gained the seat at the last by-election in September 2003.

The selection of the labour's candidate has been marred in controversy since two prominent and popular candidates: Shahid Malik and Shazzid Ahmed where not placed on the selection list.

Simon Woolley OBV's National Co-ordindator stated: The Labour Party NEC has shown leadership and ensured justice has been done. If Labour had failed to act over some shameful practices at a local party level Black and Asians, especially Muslims would have lost huge confidence in Labour to deliver fair play for minorities. With some confidence restored the task now is for the Party to select other Black and Asians in many more winnable seats.

Union official Raj Jethwa, and lecturer Jan Ettienne were also candidates on the shortlist that barrister Yasmin Qureshi succeeded in securing