Ian Swanson: The political scars that could take too long to heal

IT used to be a jewel in the crown of the Labour Party in Scotland – the biggest constituency membership in the country; lots of willing workers; and activists who could be relied on to back the leadership in a crisis. But now the East Lothian Labour Party has become a hotbed of bitter infighting and a major headache for party bosses.

Last week, the local party was suspended after it passed a motion of no confidence in Anne Moffat, the MP for the seat since 2001. Her critics are unhappy about her performance and behaviour and claim the relationship between her and the local party has broken down completely.

Then she went on television at the weekend to accuse her opponents of being bullies who don't like working with "strong women" and want to dictate how she does her job. Labour insiders say Ms Moffat's public denunciation of members of her local party was ill-judged, especially since the party had just launched a "full investigation" into the dispute.

One leading local activist says: "Her claim that it's a small clique of disgruntled men who are anti-women and anti-trade union is just rubbish."

Last year, faced with choosing a candidate for the next General Election, four of the six local party branches voted to have a contest rather than endorse Ms Moffat – but she was reselected anyway, mainly thanks to the backing of trade unions.

Critics claimed there were flaws in the way the process was carried out and an investigation by Labour's then Scottish General Secretary, Lesley Quinn, found there were anomalies. But the UK party's national executive committee merely noted her concerns and upheld Ms Moffat's reselection.

Critics say the MP's reaction when her candidature was confirmed symbolised the problem. "Everyone was expecting some sort of conciliatory statement, about wanting to working together, which is what any normal politician would have done. But she decided to use the occasion to attack quite a lot of people fairly vociferously."

There was some discontent even before 2001 when Ms Moffat first emerged as the favourite to take over the seat after John Home Robertson stood down to be the constituency's MSP.

A former nurse from Kent – known then, before her divorce, as Anne Picking – she was seen as an outsider being parachuted in by public service union Unison. Insiders say things went well to start with – though a year after being elected, she came bottom of a league table of Scottish backbenchers for asking questions, tabling motions and taking part in debates at Westminster.

But, gradually, relations began to turn sour and some of those who were her staunchest supporters when she first arrived are now among her strongest critics. One insider says: "She has never been particularly liked and it's not just a couple of people. She does rub people up the wrong way."

Ms Moffat had the biggest travel expenses of any MP in Britain – nearly £40,000 – when figures were published in 2004. In 2006, her former constituency worker Johnny Russell claimed unfair dismissal, but she reached a settlement.

And senior local activists are said to have been behind allegations investigated by parliamentary standards commissioner Sir Philip Mawer last year, including claims that Ms Moffat used public money to pay her son Scott when it was unclear what he was doing and that her brother lived in her taxpayer-funded London flat while she stayed elsewhere. The probe concluded there was "no hard evidence" for any of the charges.

Ms Moffat has also caused controversy with some of her comments in parliament. After Alex Salmond led the SNP to victory at Holyrood she said: "Proportional representation gave Germany Adolf Hitler and in Scotland, to a lesser extent, the member for Banff and Buchan."

In October last year, Ms Moffat said she was considering moving after her constituency home in Cockenzie was mysteriously daubed with graffiti for the second time in a few months after she received death threats in the post. Her local office was also burgled.

But perhaps the most puzzling episode came in May this year, when Ms Moffat claimed she had been mugged by up to six youths on a coastal path near her Cockenzie home. She suffered broken ribs, cuts and bruises and reported a necklace, rings and watch had been stolen. No witness came forward, no property was recovered, no-one was arrested or charged and police say their investigation is now closed.

The suspension of the East Lothian party is an embarrassment for Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray, who is MSP for the seat. But insiders say it's a situation he has no control over and he has wisely stayed out of the dispute.

Despite the previous upholding of Ms Moffat's reselection, a senior Labour insider says there is no guarantee the new investigation will find in her favour.

But unless the dispute is settled, some Labour activists fear the rancour and bitterness could see them lose what has been a safe seat.

"With what has happened nationally there are no safe Labour seats. We have lost votes over the last few elections and her behaviour means she has lost a lot of support. A lot of party members are not willing to campaign for her and she has done nothing to build bridges."