Labour leadership hopeful Andy Kerr has been dealt a devastating blow to his campaign by a party stalwart�s accusation of �cant and humbug�.

Labour leadership hopeful Andy Kerr has been dealt a devastating blow to his campaign by a party stalwart's accusation of "cant and humbug" over the former health minister's role in threatened hospital cuts.

Mr Kerr, who launches his leadership campaign in Glasgow today, has been savaged by a senior figure in North Lanarkshire whose father was the MP who campaigned for the founding of Monklands Hospital.

Jim Dempsey, son of the late James Dempsey, has circulated an open letter to MPs, MSPs and other senior Labour figures in the area, criticising Mr Kerr's role in the threatened closure of Monklands emergency department.

Mr Dempsey writes: "Are you the person who was prepared to oversee the closure of essential A&E services in Monklands and elsewhere? The person who would close an eye to centuries of Labour struggle to improve the quality of life for all?

"Instead you would have non-accountable quangos - not locally elected representatives - to decide which services would be available to the aged and infirm, the young and the old, to those in most need in North Lanarkshire."

In a comment which will stun many Labour activists, Mr Dempsey says that he remains true to real Labour traditions, but "I will put on record my gratitude to Alex Salmond and his party for rescuing the local health services in this area from bean-counters and disinterested politicians such as you".

Praising those who fought to save Monklands A&E, Mr Dempsey says to Mr Kerr: "You do not have the mettle to stand up for us, just as Glasgow East has decided that Westminster has not realised their hopes and aspirations.

"There is an obligation on party members that we do not elect a leader in Holyrood who makes acceptable soundbites but whose record in office reflects lack of commitment to Labour ideals.

"Those of us who still carry the torch for Labour want to see the election of a candidate committed to tackling inequality - not just sounding off about it."

Mr Kerr said last night: "I saw the passion for the health service all around Scotland but my decisions were for the good of the NHS in Scotland as a whole. Hard decisions had to be made and I believe these decisions were the right ones for the long term."

He said the decisions were taken with experts, adding that the SNP reversal of the decision to close the Monklands emergency unit "has brought the proposals for primary care in Lanarkshire into a state of disarray".

Elaine Smith, the MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, said of Mr Dempsey's letter: "My constituents, and I would include Jim, felt extremely strongly about Monklands Hospital and that Andy Kerr as health minister was responsible for the threat to it. Feelings here are still running high on this issue."