A legendary former spin doctor to Gordon Brown is to stand for Scottish Labour in the Highlands.
Charlie Whelan, who was press aide to the one-time Chancellor, will be a candidate in Badenoch and Strathspey in the local elections.
Whelan was a high profile adviser to Brown in the early years of the last Labour government.
The Spurs fan left his post in 1999 and later became political director of the Unite trade union.
Speaking to the Record about his candidacy to serve on Highland Council, he said: “I have lived in the Highlands for over 20 years. It’s my home and I love it.
“I can see the damage the Edinburgh Government does to the Highlands – their centralisation and lack of knowledge of what goes on up here.”
He added: “I’m giving voters a chance to vote Labour.”
On party leader Anas Sarwar, he said: “I met Anas a few months ago in Inverness and I was very impressed. He is the most impressive Scottish Labour leader we have had in a while.”
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