Letters supporting underfire MP are fakes

A TOP Labour politician has been dragged into a forgery scandal after bogus letters BACKING him over a cash row were sent to his local newspaper.

Ex-Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram had faced criticism for cashing in with £170,000 in consultancies, including a job with a firm given a £4billion MoD contract.

In recent weeks, a paper in the MP's East Kilbride consituency has received two letters defending him - both supposedly signed by a former Labour councillor, Tony Carlin.

But last night it emerged that they are FORGERIES.

Mr Carlin's daughter Adeline Pandolfino confirmed that her 75-year-old dad did not write them - and no one had asked for permission to use his name. She said the personal attacks on her father since the letters were printed had caused him and his family "great distress".

And she added that if people aren't brave enough to put their own name to their letters, they should "remain anonymous or, if they are councillors, concentrate on serving the people they represent rather than using others to HIDE behind".

Labour insiders say the row is a "huge embarrassment" for Ingram and his assistant, councillor Michael McCann.

It has been rumoured Ingram may step down before the next election and allow McCann to stand for his Westminster seat.

The first bogus letter stated: "Adam Ingram has served East Kilbride with distinction."

Later the East Kilbride News received a second letter - again signed "Tony Carlin" - which denounced Ingram's critics as "politically motivated".

They were sent after the MP was blasted for topping up his £63,000 salary with FIVE posts, giving him the highest outside earnings of any Scots politician. Each year he can rake in:

£55,000 from IT firm EDS, which was awarded a £4billion MoD contract when Ingram was still working in the department

£50,000 as non-executive chairman of communications firm SignPoint Secure Ltd

£25,000 as director of Argus Scotland Ltd, a design and construction services company.

£25,000 as a consultant to Argus Libya UK LLP, which is part of the same group, and

£15,000 from the International School for Security and Explosives Education

Last night Green activist Kirsten Robb, who was attacked in the bogus letters - said: "This is typical of the Lanarkshire Labour machine.

"When caught out, they tried to shoot the messenger - but shot themselves in the foot.

"Adam Ingram should find out who faked these letters and make them write some new ones, this time apologising to Tony Carlin and the public."

SNP's leader at Westminster, Angus Robertson, said: "People will be asking themselves who would have a motive to forge letters defending an MP's financial dealings. It's a total embarrassment for Adam Ingram."

A Labour insider added: "It's a DISGRACE that a really decent guy like Tony Carlin has been treated like this."

Ingram and Mr McCann were not available for comment.

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