Controversial councillor is favourite to stand in Falkirk

A Labour councillor censured for comparing a political rival to a serial killer has emerged as the favourite to succeed retiring MSP Dennis Canavan.

Dennis Goldie, who is also known for his outspoken opposition to gay rights, is the frontrunner to become the Labour candidate in Falkirk West.

His likely adoption as the party's nominee is concerning Labour figures who want a less divisive candidate to contest the marginal seat.

The scramble follows the decision by Canavan to stand down as an independent MSP at the next Holyrood election. The left-winger won the seat in 1999 after an acrimonious battle against his former Labour colleagues.

His retirement has sparked the interest of local activists in Falkirk, as the seat was a stronghold for the party prior to Canavan's success as a rebel MSP.

Three hopefuls are on the shortlist for next Sunday's selection battle, including Goldie, a Falkirk councillor of nearly three decades. But the one-time leader of Falkirk council is not everyone's ideal choice as a Holyrood candidate, as the 58-year-old has had several brushes with controversy.

Two years ago, Goldie was censured by the Standards Commission after comparing another councillor to serial killer Harold Shipman.

"He has done to the education service in this area what Dr Harold Shipman has done for patient care," he said, a remark that was found to have breached the councillors' code of conduct.

Goldie apologised for the jibe nine months after making it, a delay the commission said raised questions about "the extent to which this apology has been devalued in the light of its tardiness and potential insincerity".

The councillor was embroiled in another row in 2002 after he reportedly shouted: "You're a Nazi" at another member of the council.

In 2000, Goldie alienated his more liberal colleagues after opposing the Scottish Executive's repeal of section 28, the Tory legislation which outlawed the "promotion" of homosexuality in schools. Despite Labour's support for repealing a law considered to be ugly and homophobic, Goldie said at the time: "I do not believe the general community at large wants us to promote homosexuality. I think that's dangerous and could damage the fabric of society."

Goldie's private views on gay sex were then trumpeted in public after he chaired a meeting on the subject in Falkirk Town Hall, an event he paid for himself.

In 1995, he was subject to criticism after he took advantage of Conservative right-to-buy legislation to accumulate five former council houses and become a landlord.

Goldie is widely recognised as having served Falkirk over a number of years as a councillor, but he is not seen by sections of the party as MSP material. Around 100 local party members will select their candidate at a meeting next Sunday.

Goldie said he "stood by" his stance on opposing the repeal of section 28: "I wished they had kept it. I don't regret any of that."

He added: "I am on the shortlist and there are three excellent candidates. Whoever wins for Labour will fight on the issues."

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: "The local members will have the final decision on who represents Labour in the Falkirk West seat.

"We will be campaigning hard in Falkirk on our strong record and reminding voters of the choice at this election - to keep building up Scotland with Labour or throw it all away with the SNP's plans to break up Britain."