WE WILL BE JUDGED BY ACTIONS... NOT WORDS
Labour must do more, says MSP as his leader tries to draw a line under damaging scandals
LABOUR leader Richard Leonard has been told to step up an anti-racism probe after two scandals in the space of two weeks.
Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar cautiously welcomed Leonard’s promise to look at his proposals to challenge “everyday racism” – seven days after he published them.
But the move was also seen as a belated attempt to draw a line under a damaging period for the new leader.
Last month, the Record revealed claims by Sarwar that a serving Labour councillor said constituents weren’t ready to vote for a “brown, Muslim Paki”.
Davie McLachlan, South Lanarkshire Council’s Labour group leader, “categorically denies” the “deeply hurtful allegations” but has been suspended during an investigation.
He added: “I’m stunned and dismayed at the claims that I would say such things. I will defend myself robustly in the party’s investigation and in any actions that follow.”
Days later, MP Hugh Gaffney was reprimanded for using offensive terms for Chinese and gay people.
Gaffney was not suspended but calls for stiffer punishment grew yesterday when it emerged he had only just returned from a taxpayerfunded trip to China at the time.
Leonard confirmed the party’s Scottish Executive Committee will look at Sarwar’s eight-point plan, revealed in the Record last week.
Among the proposals are calls to reserve a place on the executive for ethnic minority candidates. He also wants a return to protected places on candidate shortlists and more diversity on selection committees.
Sarwar said it’s an “important first step” in the fight against racism and Islamophobia.
But he added: “Ultimately, we will be judged by our actions, not our words.”
The scale of the problem was underlined by members of Uddingston and Bellshill Constituency Labour Party, who last week tried to censure Sarwar for speaking out.
One insider yesterday claimed some local members were more upset that Sarwar lifted the lid on a problem through the Record, bringing “shame” to the party.
Leonard said yesterday: “The Labour Party is the party of equality. There is no place for racial, gender or other forms of discrimination or harassment in our party.
“I will work to build a society free from sexism, homophobia, racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, discrimination against disabled people and bigotry and prejudice in all their manifestations.”
The party’s sub-committee will consider Sarwar’s plan, sexual harassment recommendations and a report on breaking down barriers for disabled people.
An interim report will be brought to next month’s party conference.
The SNP’s Humza Yousaf said failing to suspend Gaffney was a “slap in the face” for minorities.
He added: “The councillor who made the alleged remarks denies those remarks but rightly he has been suspended.
“Hugh Gaffney admits making a racial slur absolutely comparable to the remark that was made to Anas Sarwar and yet all he gets is barely a tickle on the wrist.”
A Labour Party spokesman said: “Hugh Gaffney MP has been reprimanded for using inappropriate and offensive language.
“He has apologised unreservedly and referred himself for equality and diversity training.
“The Labour Party are clear that this language is unacceptable.”