AN SNP MP is to honour a former Labour MP by creating a paid internship in his name.

David Linden, Glasgow East SNP MP, is setting up the post to honour John Wheatley who served as Independent Labour MP for Shettleston in the 1920s.

John Wheatley was a minister in the Labour Government of the time and famous for his Housing Act which expanded the provision of council housing and improved living standards for working class people.

Mr Linden said despite being from a different party, John Wheatley is a political hero of his.

He will ask local organisations including schools and colleges to encourage young people to put themselves forward for the post.

He said: “He might have been from a different political party than me but John Wheatley remains one of my biggest political heroes for his belief in the fundamental benefits of warm, affordable, social housing, something we still desperately need to invest in today.”

The MP said he wants to help other local people from working class backgrounds be able to follow in his and John Wheatley’s footsteps.

Mr Linden added: “Too often, political internships are unpaid and mean that young people from poorer communities don’t get the opportunities they need to enter Parliament, influence change and learn new skills.

“Those opportunities can’t only be available to those with money in the bank, to keep them afloat during the internship.”

The post will run from June until September, will pay the living wage and be based in Shettleston with occasional travel to Westminster.

Details about the John Wheatley internship can be found on Mr Linden’s twitter : https://twitter.com/DavidLinden/status/978940233189388288