Helen Liddell in the Press

Liddell at home as house burgled

by WILLIAM TINNING

Mrs Liddell, who was understood to have been in her home in Langbank, Renfrewshire, at the time of the burglary on Sunday morning, was not hurt in the raid.

A Scottish Labour Party spokeswoman insisted there had been no security risk. "There was a break-in at her house but very little was taken. There was no breach of security," she said.

Mobile phones with pre-programmed numbers of high-profile politicians were among items stolen. But, the spokeswoman added: "There was no way of accessing any numbers because the batteries were run down and the Sim card was cancelled."

Asked to comment on the incident last night, a Strathclyde Police spokesman said only: "We can confirm that we are investigating a theft from the home of a Member of Parliament.

"It would be inappropriate to identify the MP involved or give details of what has been stolen. Inquiries are continuing."

Mrs Liddell's husband, Dr Alistair Liddell, declined to comment on the burglary when contacted at the family home last night.

The couple have two children, Paul, 18, and Clare, 12.

Mrs Liddell has been tipped to take over the reins from Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar when he moves to the new Scottish Parliament after the May elections.

She has been in Parliament since 1994 when she won the Monklands East by-election, held following the sudden death of former Labour leader John Smith. - Feb 23