Gordon McMaster
Gordon McMaster | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Paisley South | |
| In office 29 November 1990 – 28 July 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Norman Buchan |
| Succeeded by | Douglas Alexander |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 February 1960 Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland |
| Died | 28 July 1997 (aged 37) Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland |
| Party | Labour |
Gordon James McMaster (13 February 1960 – 28 July 1997) was a Scottish politician and horticulturist.
Life and career
[edit]McMaster was born in Johnstone. A horticulturist by training, he was also a lecturer at his alma mater, the Woodburn House Horticultural College.[1] McMaster was very well-liked by his students for his knowledge and charm.
In 1980, McMaster was elected to the Johnstone Community Council, and became its chair in 1982, at the age of 22, making him the youngest chair of any Scottish council.[1] He was elected to the Renfrew District Council in 1984 and became its leader in 1987.[1] He was elected to the House of Commons for Paisley South in a 1990 by-election, triggered by the death of Norman Buchan. In parliament, he campaigned for the rights of disabled people and against recreational drug use. He served as an opposition whip.[1]
Death
[edit]McMaster committed suicide in the garage of his home in Johnstone on 28 July 1997, at the age of 37.[2] He had been robbed in London shortly before his death. His suicide note named neighbouring MP Tommy Graham as being responsible for smearing him over an alleged homosexual relationship with Graham's employee, 17 year old Scott Anderson. As the legal age of consent was 18 at that time, McMaster would have been accused of statutory rape. McMaster took his own life on the eve of Anderson’s 18th birthday. Graham denied being behind the leak, however was subsequently expelled from the Labour Party.[3]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 Dalyell, Tam (28 July 1997). "Obituary: Gordon McMaster". The Independent. London. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ↑ "Labour defends Paisley South amid allegations of 'sleaze'". BBC News. 27 October 1997. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ↑ Gordon McMaster was not my enemy, says suspended MP, Euan McColm and Peter Macmahon, The Scotsman, 1997-09-18
External links
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- 1960 births
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- 20th-century Scottish educators
- British politicians who died by suicide
- Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Paisley constituencies
- People from Johnstone
- Scottish Labour MPs
- Scottish Labour councillors
- Scottish horticulturists
- Suicides by carbon monoxide poisoning
- Suicides in Scotland
- UK MPs 1987–1992
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