Duo to contest Labour Rotherham by-election spot

A CHARITY chief executive and a former RAF officer are bidding to be Labour’s candidate in the race to replace Denis MacShane.

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice chief executive Sarah Champion and ex-Royal Air Force Wing Commander Sophy Gardner are the two names on the party’s shortlist of candidates for the by-election to replace the disgraced ex-Rotherham MP.

Cllr Mahroof Hussain, the borough councillor who was thought by many to be in the running, has not been shortlisted.

Sophy Gardner is the founder of communications company Prism Strategies, which is based in Warminster, Wiltshire.

During a 19-year career in the RAF, she served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Congo.

She was also in charge of RAF transport and refuelling assets during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Afghanistan operations 2001-2, for which she was awarded the MBE.

Ms Gardner also organized the media campaign for the 90th anniversary of the RAF.

Ms Champion has been chief executive of North Anston-based Bluebell Wood since 2008.

Before then, she was chief executive of the Chinese Arts Centre in Manchester for 12 years.

Cllr Hussain announced on Twitter this afternoon that he was out of the race, admitting: “Friends, I have not been shortlisted for Rotherham.

“We need to unite behind the next @LabourParty candidate and keep Rotherham Labour.”

The two shortlist candidates are expected to stake their claims for selection at a hustings meeting of Rotherham Labour party on Tuesday evening.

Respect names Rotherham candidate.