Election in weeks if fraud MP quits

Labour members last night chose their candidate to fight the election in what should be a safe seat for the party.

Despite pleading guilty to three charges of false accounting over his expenses more than two weeks ago, Illsley has still not quit his seat yet, although he has promised to do so before he is sentenced.

Westminster sources expect him to finally quit next week, with Labour believed to be eyeing up either February 24 or March 3 to hold the by-election.

Activists met last night to pick their candidate, with four contenders having made it onto the shortlist.

Ex-soldier Dan Jarvis last night won the nomination against Barnsley councillor Linda Burgess, trade union lawyer Richard Burgon and former party policy representative Emma Hoddinott. Illsley won the seat with a majority of more than 11,000 last May.

Another local councillor, Tim Cheetham, failed to make it onto the shortlist.

After appearing in court earlier this month, Illsley announced he would quit under intense pressure from Labour leader Ed Miliband, Prime Minister David Cameron and former Labour colleagues.

He has been suspended from the Labour Party and told he will be expelled, but his failure to resign means he has continued to pocket his salary as he winds up his office.

He admitted three charges of false accounting by over-claiming 14,500 on claims for council tax and household bills.

A quick election would minimise the chance for another party to gain the initiative and mount a challenge to Labour, while victory would be another welcome boost for Mr Miliband on the back of the recent win in Oldham East and Saddleworth.

Only six votes separated the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives at the General Election, but the most interesting dimension of the poll could be the challenge posed by the British National Party.