Labour's plans for the Glasgow East by-election were thrown into turmoil last night when the party was left without a candidate for the crucial first weekend of campaigning.

Shettleston councillor George Ryan, the favourite for the nomination in the Labour stronghold, was unable to attend a selection meeting in the constituency due to "unforeseen circumstances", according to a party spokesperson. It is understood that Mr Ryan's partner is reluctant for him to seek the nomination but the first that campaign organisers knew of the situation was at last evening's meeting.

With a question mark over Mr Ryan's candidacy his close friend Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, will come under party pressure to seek the nomination.

Local Labour party members decided unanimously to postpone their selection until Monday evening. Two other shortlisted candidates - Irene Graham, a former Glasgow councillor, and Doug Maughan, an airline pilot from Stirling - accepted the decision.

This leaves Labour, defending a 13,506 majority in the seat, having to abandon the planned launch of its campaign today and at the disadvantage of not having a candidate it can ask people to vote for while other parties hit the streets this morning.

The SNP said that Labour would now regret moving a writ for the by-election, caused by the resignation of sitting MP David Marshall, with undue haste. The vote will take place in two-and- a-half week's time on Thursday July 24, in the middle of the Glasgow Fair fortnight.