Curry king... oh dear

BBC NEWS | Scotland | By-election campaigns under way:

"'Curry king'

...

Meanwhile, millionaire businessman Charan Gill has been ruled out as a Labour candidate in the Cathcart by-election which is being held on the same day.

The founder of the Ashoka restaurant chain, known as the 'curry king', will not stand in the election which was called following the resignation of Lord Watson.

'Very disappointed'

The MSP stood down after he admitted setting fire to curtains at the Prestonfield Hotel.

Mr Gill, 50, who is understood to have had the backing of First Minister Jack McConnell, is a long-term supporter of the Labour Party but only joined this week.

Labour's National Executive Party is understood to have ruled he could not stand.

Mr Gill's interest in the Glasgow seat provoked a backlash among local activists who felt the Labour hierarchy was trying to parachute in a rookie candidate.

He said he was 'very disappointed'.

The four names on the Labour shortlist are three city councillors Charles Gordon, Archie Graham and Irene Graham - together with Manjinder Singh, a business analyst with Scottish Power.

The party will make its final selection on Friday."