Brown faces another Scottish by-election test

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was today facing another by-election challenge in his own backyard after the death of a Labour MP.

John MacDougall, 60, the MP for Glenrothes, lost his battle with cancer this morning.

His death leaves Mr Brown mourning the loss of a "good personal friend".

But it also sees the Prime Minister, who represents the neighbouring Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency, facing a by-election on his political doorstep.

Less than three weeks ago Labour lost Glasgow East to the Scottish National Party, with the Nationalists overturning a majority of more than 13,500 to take the seat.

And the last by-election fought in Fife, in February 2006, saw the Liberal Democrats seize power in Dunfermline and West Fife - which had previously been a safe Labour constituency.

Mr MacDougall, a former oil rig construction yard worker, had been diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma more than two years ago

He underwent surgery at Guy's Hospital in London to try to treat the condition.

But he lost his fight for life at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Mr Brown had visited him in hospital on Monday and spent time chatting to him.

Today, the Prime Minister said he had lost a "good personal friend" who was a "true servant of the people".

He said: "John MacDougall gave more than 30 years of distinguished public service to Fife - as a councillor, leader of the Fife Council, convener of Fife Council and then Member of Parliament for Central Fife and he will be remembered as a true servant of the people.

"A very popular, diligent local Member of Parliament, he served Fife with great distinction in all the roles he played.

"In Fife he pioneered free travel for the elderly, led Scotland and Britain with nursery education for three and four year olds, was successful in pressing for new jobs and investment to replace thousands of jobs lost in mining and at Rosyth naval base, and was well known for his support for all local causes.

"Over three decades he has been a good personal friend of mine and I visited him on Monday.

"Our heartfelt condolences go to his widow, Cathy, to his son and daughter, Scott and Julie, and to his mother and sister."

Mr MacDougall, a former shop steward with the GMB union, was first elected to office in 1982 when he became a councillor on Fife Regional Council.

He later became the leader of the council and also served as director of Glenrothes Development Corporation and Fife Enterprise before being elected to the House of Commons as the MP for Central Fife in 2001.

Boundary changes meant his constituency later became Glenrothes, a seat which he won with a majority of 10,664 at the last General Election in 2005.

Helen Eadie, the Labour MSP for Dunfermline East, paid tribute to Mr MacDougall.

She said: "It's a very sad loss and to learn of that this morning makes me deeply saddened for John's family.

"His death means the loss of a good friend and a good colleague, and it is very upsetting for all of us here in Fife that we have lost someone who has dedicated all of his adult life to serving the Labour Party."

Ms Eadie had known Mr MacDougall since 1986, when she served with him on the local council, where she was the deputy leader and he was the leader.

She went on: "He was someone who I grew to both like and admire over the years, because he was so committed to what he was doing."

And she added: "John had above all a caring attitude, but he also had a very good sense of humour and that sense of humour always helped to cut through many difficult political situations.

"I always admire people who have got the ability for humour, and John certainly did have that in abundance."

She described him as a dedicated and caring politician, whose door was always open to people.

"If he could possibly be helpful, he would," Ms Eadie said.

Angus Robertson, the SNP's Westminster leader, said: "I am saddened that John has lost his long and brave fight against illness, and our condolences go to his wife and family at this very difficult time."

Mr Robertson added: "We may have been on opposite sides in the House of Commons, but John carried the respect of people right across the chamber, and was passionate for the issues he believed in and the welfare of his constituents, which he cared about deeply. He will be much missed."

Fife Central SNP MSP Tricia Marwick also paid tribute to Mr MacDougall, saying: "I have known John for over 20 years and am deeply saddened that his long fight against illness has ended.

"As a councillor, the leader of Fife Council and an MP he has left a legacy and will be missed by many people."

She added: "My thoughts are with his wife and family who supported him throughout his long illness."

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