A former regional journalist is to stand as a Labour candidate at the 12 December election.

Sally Gimson has been chosen by Labour as its candidate for Bassetlaw, in Nottinghamshire, where current MP John Mann is standing down.

Sally began her career as a trainee reporter on the Cambridge News in 1989, moving to The Observer in 1991.

She later served as an arts reporter for the Sunday Telegraph, among other titles, and also worked in charity communications before taking on her most recent role as deputy editor of the Index on Censorship magazine.

Sally Gimson with Labour supporters in Bassetlaw

The mother-of-three was a Labour councillor between 2011 and 2018, spending some of that time as cabinet member for adult social care, as well as holding the portfolio for the environment and sustainability, at Camden Council.

Sally told the Nottingham Post: “I am delighted to be the Labour candidate for Bassetlaw. It is a real privilege to be fighting for a Labour government in this constituency.

“I am looking forward to building on the tradition of energy production in Bassetlaw and bringing investment into green energy here as part of Labour’s plans for a new green deal.

“I want to make sure that with a Labour MP for Bassetlaw and a Labour government, we can end the appalling Tory cuts to our schools, and health and social care, and bring job and investment opportunities to the area.”

Earlier this month HTFP reported Louise Thistlethwaite, who used to work at Barrow-in-Furness daily The Mail, had been selected by the Conservative Party as its parliamentary candidate for Lancaster and Fleetwood.

Former Bolton News journalist Ruth Jolley also announced in August she would be standing for the Brexit Party in South West Norfolk.