THE daughter of one of the architects of new Labour is embroiled in a row over nepotism amid claims she is being parachuted into a safe parliamentary seat.

Georgia Gould, 22, daughter of Lord Gould, Tony Blair’s poll-ster, is tipped to become Labour candidate for the coveted seat of Erith & Thamesmead when John Austin, the sitting MP, retires at the next election.

Austin has a majority of 11,500 in what is considered a staunch Labour area — putting Gould on course to become the second-youngest woman to become an MP. The youngest was Bernadette Devlin, who was elected to Westminster from Mid-Ulster at the age of 21, in 1969.

Gould, an Oxford University graduate, is now studying for an MSc at the LSE. She works part-time for Tony Blair’s Faith Foundation and has no connection with the area but has a stellar cast of supporters, including Alastair Campbell, the former spin doctor, Baroness McDonagh, the former general secretary of the Labour party, and McDonagh’s sister Siobhain, MP for Mitcham and Morden.

She appears to be outpacing more than a dozen other candidates for the nomination, and has already secured the backing of two key wards.

Her supporters insist she is an outstanding candidate who has worked to win over party members in the constituency in southeast London.

In an episode that has fuelled suspicion of interference by Labour’s high command, John Pegg, the local official who would normally oversee the nominations procedure, has been stripped of his duties, with the process being overseen by Labour headquarters.

“Everybody’s talking about it being a stitch-up,” said one MP.

“The new Labour machine has swung behind her, and nobody else has a look-in.”

There are also allegations that Nigerian voters in Erith & Thamesmead are being marshalled to back Gould’s campaign. Her opponents say Nigerians have not previously turned out in large numbers for Labour ballots.

Gould’s father is regarded as one of the six founders of new Labour and is known as the man who invented focus group polling in British politics. He remains an influential figure in the party, and his family is close to the Campbells.

Yesterday he claimed his daughter was the victim of a smear campaign and spoke of his pride in her talent.

“It is absolutely untrue that she has had any preferential treatment,” he said. “She is doing this on her own. I am hugely proud of her. ” He said Campbell would be likely to show his support.

Siobhain McDonagh described Gould as “fantastic, incredibly hardworking and talented”.

Gould’s supporters say Pegg was relieved of his duties after a complaint from another candidate. Pegg did not return calls from The Sunday Times.

Austin declined to comment.

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