A LABOUR councillor at the centre of a cronyism row is vying to become an MSP.
Yvonne Kucuk is tipped to become Labour’s new candidate in SNP-held Glasgow Shettleston after Frank McAveety recently vacated the role to return as city council leader.
Last week the Sunday Herald revealed that Kucuk, who represents the Calton ward, features in a complaint about the running of the People’s Development Trust in Glasgow’s east end.
The Trust runs the £3.5m Dalmarnock Legacy Hub, which was opened by football legend Kenny Dalglish earlier this month as an inheritance from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Kucuk is the Trust’s manager and fellow Labour councillor Maureen Burke is a PA there.
An anonymous complaint to the council has alleged concerns about Kucuk’s salary and the “openness and transparency” of the process that led to Burke’s appointment.
It also emerged three members of the Trust’s board quit on the eve of the Hub opening.
The council’s internal audit is now considering whether to investigate the matter.
Despite the controversy, Kucuk is now seen as the favourite to become Labour’s candidate in Shettleston, pitching her against SNP MSP John Mason next May.
Her main rival for the candidacy is East Renfrewshire councillor Ian McAlpine, a former social work manager in the east end, who lacks a supporter base in the constituency.
A Scottish Labour source said: “It’s looking increasingly likely Yvonne is going to be selected, despite the recent controversy, which is causing great concern at the top of the party.”
Mason, who won Shettleston by just 586 votes in 2011, said: “I think this will make it a lot easier for me. Margaret Curran and Frank McAveety were largely respected in the east end, but I don’t think Yvonne Kucuk is.
“It shows the weakness of Labour if that is the best they can do. She’s got a reputation for promising the earth and delivering next to nothing.”
Kucuk did not respond to a request for comment.
The Trust has previously said it can see “no reason” why city council auditors should be interested in its staff, but would be “delighted to respond to any enquiry” they might have.
McAlpine confirmed his interest in the candidacy, but admitted he was an outside bet.
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