Labour dumps candidate over posts

A SCOTTISH Labour candidate has been replaced following an investigation into social media posts she liked and shared, it has been reported.

Wilma Brown, who will no longer stand in Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, has been replaced by Melanie Ward, the chief executive of Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Ms Brown was not accused of posting controversial materials, but was seen to like and share a number of posts criticising then first minister Humza Yousaf and the Scottish Government’s stance on gender recognition.

The social media activity from an account in the trade union activist’s name first came to light last month. She was suspended while an investigation was carried out.

The SNP said at the time they were “deeply offensive, racist” posts and she was suspended.

SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown earlier said that the Scottish Labour candidate, who had campaigned with party leader Sir Keir Starmer in her constituency, should be dropped as a candidate.

Mr Brown said: “The appalling tweets endorsed by the Labour Party candidate for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy are deeply offensive, racist and completely unacceptable.”

Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is one of Labour’s top target seats in Scotland.

The SNP won the seat in 2019 with Neale Hanvey elected as the MP before he defected to the Alba Party, led by Alex Salmond, in 2021.

Mr Hanvey was himself in controversy ahead of the 2019 election and was suspended by the SNP after allegations of anti-semitism were made against him.

Melanie Ward is a long-time member of Scottish Labour and was announced as one of

Time Magazine’s top 100 most influential people in global health.