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