THE UK and Scottish Labour leaders have urged the Medical Research Council to increase research funding into motor neurone disease (MND), in support of a Scottish campaigner with the fatal degenerative disease.

Ed Miliband and Jim Murphy wrote to the council to back Gordon Aikman, a former Better Together worker who was diagnosed with the incurable condition last year, and has since led calls for MND funding to be doubled and has raised more £200,000 to help find a cure for MND.

Miliband said: "The Medical Research Council should take a fresh look at the funding available for MND research. Only when MND is no longer a death sentence can we be satisfied that we are doing enough."

Murphy added: "The most remarkable thing about Gordon's campaign is that he doesn't expect to benefit from many of the things he is fighting for. This is about making sure the MND patients of the future get a better shot at survival than those of today."

Aikman said he was "absolutely delighted" with the support, adding: "Ed Miliband has thrown down the gauntlet. It is now for the other party leaders to match his commitment."

The MRC spends £3.6m a year on MND research.