Gordon Brown will keep his distance from the Glenrothes by-election, it was insisted yesterday.

Gordon Brown will keep his distance from the Glenrothes by-election, it was insisted yesterday.

Denying a report suggesting that the prime Minister would involve himself heavily in the campaign, including candidate selection, a senior Downing Street aide was emphatic in dismissing the report.

"The PM does not have a great deal of time in his constituency, and this week is such a chance," he said, insisting it was a much- needed family break.

He said the idea that Mr Brown was planning to mastermind the by-election campaign or was having feverish meetings on the issue was "fanciful."

Labour are pacing themselves, refusing to be rushed into a selection process which will unfold over the next few days, with Cardended councillor Mark Hood and Glenrothes councillor Kay Morrison believed to be front-runners.

An aide to Mr Brown denied that the Prime Minister would have any particular role. He also said the notions of a fix in the candidates set by Mr Brown were ridiculous.

New Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott put himself out on the stump yesterday, backing LibDem candidate Harry Wills. He said his visit to Fife in support of the LibDem campaign had been worthwhile. He also played down suggestions that he was planning a radical change in his approach to a constitutional referendum, insisting that as always this would depend on the wording of any legislation.

The SNP, front-runners according to the bookies, is refusing the burden of favourite given that they are more than 10,000 behind. Labour is arguing the counter-view, pitching themselves as outsiders. As one Labour aide put it: "We have to look at this seat as hostile territory."