Sarwar urges Labour to make quick decision on Islamophobia row councillor

Anas Sarwar has urged Labour to “make a decision” on a party member who made an Islamophobic comment about Transport Minister Humza Yousaf.

Dumfries and Galloway councillor Jim Dempster has been suspended from the party pending an investigation into his remark.

Mr Dempster reportedly said that if Mr Yousaf had visited the region, “he may have been at Springholm but no one would have seen him under his burka”.

Speaking on the BBC’S Sunday Politics Scotland, Labour MSP Mr Sarwar said: “Dinosaurs make crass, stupid, offensive, unacceptable remarks.

“It’s right he apologises. It’s right that Labour has suspended him, but I think the Labour Party has got to make a decision in the long term based upon on how we want to reflect in terms of society, whether he’s truly remorseful or not.

“It’s one thing after an incident saying you are sorry, but it’s about changing yourself and changing your behaviour and how that reflects on wider society.”

Headded: “i think the labour Party’s got to make a decision, and got to take one very mrs ar war appeared on the programme with Mr Yousaf to discuss the racism they have experienced.