Sarwar admits to ‘hypocrisy’ over private education for his children

ANAS Sarwar accepted criticism that he is a hypocrite for privately educating his children, after his party’s manifesto said fee-paying schools added to social injustice.

The Scottish Labour leader, who sends his sons to his alma mater Hutchesons’ Grammar in Glasgow, admitted the double-standards accusation was a “fair criticism”.

Hutchesons currently charges annual fees of between £9,812 and £12,649 per pupil.

The Labour manifesto advocates an end to “all public sector support for fee-paying private schools”, including ending their charitable status for rates relief as a contribution to “a more socially just and inclusive society”.

Mr Sarwar, son of a self-made millionaire, was asked when he first realised private schools were an obstacle to a more socially just and inclusive society, and why he was perpetuating the system.

The Glasgow MSP said: “I have supported this policy ever since

Kez Dugdale was leader and it was first proposed in our manifesto, and I proudly support it now.

“I’m open about the fair question and the fair criticism people make around the decision that my wife and I made for our children.”

Asked if he accepted criticism that he was a hypocrite, he said: “As I’ve made clear before, I accept it’s a fair criticism. There are different forms of inequality and prejudice that my children will face that other children won’t face. That still means I accept the criticism around the choice that I’ve made.”