The Scotsman

Senior official apologises for ‘ill-judged’ remark that sparked sectariani­sm row

- By PARIS GOURTSOYAN­NIS

One of Labour’s most senior party officials has apologised after being accused of making anti-catholic comments during a televised session at the party’s conference in front of hundreds of delegates.

Andy Kerr, chairman of the party’s National Executive Committee, joked that a woman selected to address the conference in Liverpool should not have been called on to speak because she crossed herself.

Mr Kerr, who is also a deputy general secretary of the Communicat­ion Workers’ Union, apologised “unreserved­ly”, saying: “I was trying to be lightheart­ed but what I said was illjudged and wrong.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called the comment “appalling”. Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said there was “absolutely no room” in the party for “unacceptab­le” sectarian remarks.

On Tuesday afternoon, the NEC chairman told a woman called to the stage: “Did you cross yourself, there? In that case, I might not [call you].”

Mr Leonard said in an interview: “It’s completely unacceptab­le and Andy Kerr has unreserved­ly apologised for the remark that he made.”

Mr Kerr’s son, Matt, is a Labour councillor in Glasgow and a candidate for Westminste­r in Glasgow South West.

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