Kezia’s ‘deep regret’ as party hands her a written warning
But sources claim former Scots Labour leader was ‘gagged’ by her new boss
KEZIA Dugdale was issued with a formal warning by Labour Party chiefs on her return from Australia yesterday, amid allegations she had been ‘gagged’ by new boss Richard Leonard.
The former Scottish leader made a chaotic comeback to Holyrood following her appearance on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
She escaped suspension from the party, but was issued with a written warning.
Miss Dugdale had claimed the ITV show offered a great opportunity to promote her political views. But during her 11-day stint in the jungle, she appeared to speak little of her party or politics.
Miss Dugdale’s return to parliament sparked chaos after her plans to speak to journalists were cancelled at the last minute.
Instead, a pre-written statement, signed off by party chiefs, was issued on her behalf. She said: ‘I deeply regret that this caused issues in the first weeks of Richard Leonard’s leadership and I am determined that it won’t affect Labour’s ability to scrutinise the Scottish Budget.’
But sources claimed she had been ‘gagged’ and told not to speak to the media at a meeting with Labour’s parliamentary group executive. They also branded the party ‘utterly shambolic’ over its handling of Miss Dugdale’s return, which saw her and Labour MSPs and officials trying to dodge dozens of journalists at Holyrood.
She arrived in Glasgow around noon yesterday on a flight from Dubai. After landing, she said her appearance on I’m A Celebrity had been ‘an experience I am never going to forget’ and promised to speak about this and her return ‘later on’.
But she then went to Edinburgh, where she met party chiefs. After returning to her flat an hour later,
Miss Dugdale arrived at Holyrood at 4.30pm to vote in a debate on SNP plans for income tax.
Walking into the chamber before the vote, she ignored questions on the show, how much she had been paid and what the outcome of her meeting with party bosses had been. She also dodged questions on the way out.
Mr Leonard refused to comment on Miss Dugdale’s return and was silent when asked whether or not he had warned her not to speak.
Scottish Labour business manager James Kelly issued a statement last night, saying: ‘Today Kezia Dugdale MSP was interviewed by the Scottish Labour parliamentary group executive regarding her unauthorised absence from parliament for three weeks.
‘Following a discussion between Richard Leonard, Kezia Dugdale and the group executive, it has been decided that the group will reprimand Miss Dugdale by way of written warning. She will not face further action.’
A Scottish Tory spokesman said: ‘It seemed impossible for Labour to make this fiasco even worse, but they’ve managed it. Today’s response was embarrassing.
‘It doesn’t say much for the party’s new leadership to be desperately gagging a senior female representative.’
Tory MSP Adam Tomkins said: ‘I would like to welcome Kezia Dugdale back. Back from the jungle, but into the wilderness.’
As Miss Dugdale left the chamber, an MSP shouted: ‘She’s a politician, get her out of here.’