Gordon Brown’s plans for a smooth by-election in Glasgow East have been dealt a blow after the favoured Labour candidate pulled out of the race.

Councillor George Ryan said he decided to withdraw because the campaign would put too much pressure on his family life.

Scottish Labour had to delay its selection of a candidate after Mr Ryan did not turn up at last night’s selection, and the party has postponed the process until Monday evening.

The July 24 by-election was triggered when long-serving Labour MP David Marshall announced his resignation on health grounds on Monday.

The vote, which is crucial for the Labour Party, comes in the wake of recent by-election defeats at both Crewe and Nantwich and Henley and the resignation of the party’s Scottish leader, Wendy Alexander, last weekend.

Mr Ryan, Councillor for Shettleston, said: “It is with regret that I have today removed my name from the shortlist of potential candidates.”

There is speculation that Glasgow City Council Leader Steven Purcell may now throw his hat into the ring as a candidate.

Scotland Office Minister David Cairns MP said: “We’ve seen in the past few weeks in Scotland that politics can take its toll on family life.

“It is for this reason that Councillor Ryan has decided to withdraw his name from our selection process, and we all understand and respect his decision.”

The constituency is one of Labour’s safest in Scotland with Mr Marshall securing a majority of 13,507 over his nearest rival, the Scottish National Party, in 2005.

Times Recommends

• Everyone will get vaccine against swine flu
• Artificial sperm and the race to build a baby
• BBC jets out stars to tout for prizes