Ship the people smuggler gangs ‘up to Scotland’
Think tank boss forced to apologise for slur
ANAS Sarwar has slapped down a Labour think tank boss who claimed people smuggler gangs should be shipped to Scotland.
The Scots Labour leader accused Josh Simons of making “stupid” and “flippant” remarks.
Simons, head of Labour Together, was blasted over comments on a radio chat show while discussing Rishi Sunak’s failed Rwanda policy. He told listeners the UK
Government should focus on detaining people smugglers instead of pursuing a doomed plan to deport failed asylum seekers.
In comments which lit up social media, he added: “Ship the barge up to the north of Scotland, for all I care.”
That appeared to refer to Bibby Stockholm, a floating accommodation block rented by the UK Government to house asylum seekers in Dorset.
Sarwar, on the eve of his party conference in Glasgow, responded: “My first reaction is ‘who?’. Every party has elements on the fringes that give them moments of cringe.” He said it was a “ludicrous” comment, adding: “He doesn’t represent the Labour party’s view. It’s actually quite a serious issue he trivialised.
“I think people making stupid, flippant comments like that are best ignored.”
Simons apologised, saying: “Following my comments on LBC, I apologise for any negative insinuation about Scotland. I’m half-Scottish, I love the country and it is where much of my family comes from.
“It was a poorly judged comment made in jest and doesn’t reflect my views, or the views of the Labour Party.
“I was seeking to draw attention to the immorality of housing asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution on a barge while smuggler gangs get off free under the Tories.”