We must not stoop so Low
Leonard apologises for abuse in email by aide
LABOUR leadership candidate Richard Leonard was last night forced to condemn abusive language in his campaign.
He called for “tolerance and respect” after it emerged one of his campaign team insulted a fellow MSP in an email.
Stephen Low headed an emailed statement referring to the “latest p*sh” from Jackie Baillie, who supports rival Anas Sarwar for the top Scottish Labour job.
Leonard said: “There is no place in this campaign for unfounded allegations about colleagues and fellow party members, any abuse including online, or using language that lowers the tone.”
A source in Sarwar’s camp said: “Richard is right to call out such behaviour but the fact it happened speaks volumes about who he has surrounded himself with.”
Meanwhile, acting leader Alex Rowley hit back at calls to quit after being caught on microphone during Labour’s party conference in Brighton.
In a secret recording, he said: “Although I’m neutral in the leadership I also believe that Richard Leonard has everything that we need to win in 2021.”
Yesterday, Rowley said: “I believed that to be a private conversation and I now need to move on with what I’m doing.”
At Holyrood, Rowley was mocked by opponents including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “Labour’s behaviour is selfish and self-indulgent.”