By Bill Heaney

Labour in West Dunbartonshire drew a huge sigh of relief early today when they narrowly retained the Clydebank Central council seat formerly occupied by disgraced Craig Edward, who resigned after being exposed in a child pornography scandal.

Edward was expelled by Labour and first opted to switch from Labour to Independent before fleeing to England. He returned to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court where he was jailed by Sheriff William Gallagher.

His successor was elected to represent Clydebank Central following a pathetic turnout of voters – less than a quarter of the electorate voted – in a by-election held in the former shipyard and sewing machine town yesterday (Thursday 13 June).

Scottish Labour candidate Fiona Hennebry, pictured above right, was elected at the fourth stage with 1425 votes cast under the Single Transferable Vote system, with the SNP candidate Marina Scanlan (Scottish National Party SNP) just 300 votes behind her on 1127.

The five other candidates were nowhere and turnout for the by election was 24.3% of the electorate, with 2845 votes cast.

The Single Transferable Vote electoral system asks voters to mark their preference in numerical order.

The result was announced by Returning Officer Peter Hessett at 1.20am today (Friday) after  the official count in Clydebank Town Hall, pictured left.

Mr Hessett said: ““The role of Councillor is vital within local communities. Elected members ensure residents voices are heard on a range of important issues and strive for high standards in public services.

“I am grateful to everyone who voted in this by election and to staff who ensured the democratic process of electing the new councillor ran smoothly and safely.”

The outcome of votes for each stage of the count is outlined below:

Stage 1

Fiona Hennebry (Scottish Labour Party): 1398

Nathan Hennebry (Communist Party of Britain): 47

Ewan McGinnigle (Scottish Conservative and Unionist): 125

Andrew Muir (Independent): 87

Kai Pyper (Scottish Liberal Democrats): 52

Marina Scanlan (Scottish National Party SNP): 1095

Kelly Wilson (Sovereignty): 12

Kelly Wilson excluded.

Stage 2

Fiona Hennebry (Scottish Labour Party): 1400

Nathan Hennebry (Communist Party of Britain): 47

Ewan McGinnigle (Scottish Conservative and Unionist): 126

Andrew Muir (Independent): 87

Kai Pyper (Scottish Liberal Democrats): 56

Marina Scanlan (Scottish National Party SNP): 1099

Nathan Hennebry excluded.

Stage 3

Fiona Hennebry (Scottish Labour Party): 1404

Ewan McGinnigle (Scottish Conservative and Unionist): 126

Andrew Muir (Independent): 91

Kai Pyper (Scottish Liberal Democrats): 59

Marina Scanlan (Scottish National Party SNP): 1118

Kai Pyper excluded.

Stage 4

Fiona Hennebry was elected at the fourth stage.

Fiona Hennebry (Scottish Labour Party): 1425

Ewan McGinnigle (Scottish Conservative and Unionist): 130

Andrew Muir (Independent): 98

Marina Scanlan (Scottish National Party SNP): 1127

Provost Douglas McAllister, Martin Docherty Hughes, Diane Docherty and Craig Edward.

The General Election when Clydebank man Martin Docherty Hughes of the SNP will attempt to retain his Westminster seat will take place in three weeks time on July 4.

The Scottish Labour Party candidate will be Provost Douglas McAllister of West Dunbartonshire Council.

Meanwhile, this is how the Scottish Daily Express reported the by-election outcome:

The SNP’s shocking run of by-election defeats hit 14 in a row as the party lost in one of its safest seats across Scotland. The candidate for the Nats was soundly beaten in Clydebank Central, which is a nationalist stronghold and one of the regions which voted Yes in the independence referendum.

It was labelled an “embarrassing” loss for John Swinney who has not been able to turn the tide on the awful spate of results which was first presided over by Humza Yousaf. Scottish Labour picked up the seat with a 12% swing giving them two councillors in Clydebank Central compared to one SNP and one independent.

The SNP vote plummeted by 14%, while Labour’s rose by 9.2%. In a weird outcome, winner Fiona Hennebry actually beat her own nephew, Nathan Hennebry, who was standing for the Communist Party of Britain, to win the seat.

It was two Nats and two Labour but Diane Docherty quit the party over its stance on gender reforms, meaning they lost another councillor. The turnout for the by-election was 24.3% with 2,845 votes cast and it was called after the incumbent was jailed for being a paedophile.

Disgraced Craig Edwards resigned his seat on the council in March after pleading guilty to owning hundreds of indecent images of children. Despite being charged he refused to quit after being sacked by Labour. Sheriff William Gallacher said the images “plumb the depths of depravity and abuse”.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “This is an extraordinary result for Scottish Labour in one of the safest SNP wards in the country, and an embarrassing defeat for John Swinney. This win shows that Scots are desperate for change after 14 years of Tory chaos and 17 years of SNP incompetence.

“Fiona Hennebry will be a fantastic councillor and a local champion for her community. The people of Clydebank Central have voted for change and on July 4 voters across Scotland will have the opportunity to do the same.

Ms Hennebry added: “I am delighted to be elected to represent the area I call home. For too long our community has been failed by two out of touch and incompetent governments – but this result shows that change is possible. I am looking forward to getting to work representing our fantastic area and I will work tirelessly to repay the trust the people of Clydebank Central have put in me.”

Clydebank has both a SNP MSP and MP in Marie McNair and Martin Docherty-Hughes but the latter is facing a tough battle to retain his seat at the General Election. According to Ballot box Scotland, the town’s wards a “real rarity” as they have “an absolute majority of the vote for a single party, in this case the SNP.”