One of Gordon Brown's closest political friends has told stv that he might need to be replaced as leader if the party does badly in next year's European elections. The views of Lord O'Neill will stagger many close to the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Labour failed last night in an attempt to win the Baillieston seat from the SNP in a council by-election held in Glasgow's East End.   

It was a week in which once again the process of Government has played second to the issue of Gordon Brown's survival.  

From one of his closest allies last night, there was a blunt assessment.   

Lord O'Neill said: "If we had a situation next June, after the European elections, that Labour was really very badly routed, then I think there would have to be very serious discussions and I suspect that there would probably have to be a change of leadership then." 

Mr Brown's difficulties could not have helped Labour in yesterday's Baillieston By Election. The contest was caused by the election of John Mason to Westminster at the end of July. 

Yesterday's contest was close. On first preference votes the SNP edged Labour out with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats miles behind. 

The electronic voting system worked well unlike a previous council by-election in South Lanarkshire. Once again, there was jubilation for the SNP.  

Councillor David Turner said: "People were telling us on the doorstep they were fed up with the Labour Party,  it was time for a change, not only in Glasgow but in Scotland and the SNP was in the ascendancy, and we are the party of the future." 

Like the Westminster parliamentary by-election at the end of July, this was a close run thing. Yet again the SNP have won, holding John Mason's council seat, but not too much can be read into this with a turnout of less than 25%.