The smearing of an MP

The death of Gordon McMaster, Labour Member of Parliament for Paisley South, on Jul. 28, 1997, threatens to lift the lid on political hatred and dirty tricks in a town described by a seasoned observer on Jul. 29, 1997, as the cess-pit of Scottish politics. McMaster, who was suffering from a debilitating ME-style illness brought on by exposure to organo-phosphates, had been the victim of vicious rumours. McMaster is said to have known the identity of the person responsible for spreading the rumours which were totally untrue but included allegations that he was gay and that he had Aids.