London - The Labour Party suffered a rebellion in its own ranks yesterday when a breakaway activist announced he would stand against millionaire former Conservative MP Mr Shaun Woodward for the safe St Helens South seat.
Mr Neil Thompson said he would stand for the Socialist Alliance Party in protest at the way Mr Woodward was selected on Sunday as the Labour candidate for the election after long-serving Labour MP Mr Gerry Bermingham unexpectedly retired last week.
Mr Woodward masterminded the Conservatives' 1997 election campaign but defected to Labour two years later because he said the Tories had become too right-wing.
His selection, by 81 votes to 77, led to accusations that Mr Blair and the Labour hierarchy had parachuted the former Tory into the seat against the wishes of party members.