A by-election for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of Paisley South was held on 6 November 1997 following the death of incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) Gordon McMaster of the Labour Party. It was won by Douglas Alexander, who retained the seat for Labour despite a swing of 11% to the Scottish National Party.
Background Gordon McMaster, the incumbent MP for the constituency, committed suicide in the garage of his home in Johnstone on 28 July 1997, at the age of 37. He had been robbed in London shortly before his death. His suicide note named neighbouring MP Tommy Graham as being responsible for smearing him over an alleged homosexual relationship with Graham's employee, 17-year-old Scott Anderson. As the legal age of consent was 18 at that time, McMaster would have been accused of statutory rape. Graham denied being behind the leak, however was subsequently expelled from the Labour Party.
Result
1997 general election result
See also Elections in Scotland Lists of United Kingdom by-elections
References
External links Scottish Election Results 1997 - present