Yousaf calls on race abuse Labour councillor to stand down
Humza Yousaf yesterday said Scottish Labour has a problem with racism as he called for the resignation of a councillorwhomadeislamophobic remarks about him.
Cllr Jim Dempster has been suspended by Labour for saying Mr Yousaf could not be seen “under the burka” as the party was hit by another racism row.
The Dumfries and Galloway councillor is to be investigated after he insulted Mr Yousaf, the transport minister, when he suggested the SNP frontbencher did not have much time for road transport issues in the south west.
In a conversation with Scottish Government officials, Mr Dempster suggested Mr Yousaf had been anonymous in the area. The local politician was told that Mr Yousaf had been to Springholm. Cllr Dempster then said: “He may have been at Springholm but no-one would have seen him under his burka.”
Speaking on Radio Scotland, Mr Yousaf pointed out that the incident followed Hugh Gaffney MP’S slur against the Chinese and LGBT communities as well as claims by Labour MSP Anas Sarwar that he has been the victim of racial abuse from within the party.
Mr Yousaf acknowledged that all parties had experienced problems with abuse, butadded:“itisclearnowfrom a number of incidents that Anas Sarwar MSP has bravely spoken about – Hugh Gaffney MP’S recent racist remarks and now Councillor Dempster – that Scottish Labour in particular has a problem with racism and Islamophobia.”
Mr Yousaf said he felt “insulted and deeply shocked” at the remark. “For this kind of slur which is so brazen, not something which simply slips off the tongue, to make that kind of Islamophobic slur from a senior elected councillor in front of my transport officials, so knowing that it would easily come back to me, and in front of members of the public I should say as well, just goes to show how far we’ve got to go and just how emboldened some feel about making Islamophobic remarks. Councillor Dempster, who I understand now admits making these remarks, has no option but to resign.”
Mr Yousaf said he had received an apology from Mr Dempster but did not accept it.
Labour leader Richard Leonard had also contacted the Transport Minister to tell him about Mr Dempster’s suspension. He said: “If it is completely inexcusable then the only logical conclusion for him is to of course resign, there’s no excuse for it.”
He added: “You don’t need diversity training to know not to say to a Muslim you are hiding under a burka.”
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “James Dempster has been suspended pending an investigation by the Scottish Labour Party. The party has a zero tolerance policy towards racism.”
tom.peterkin@scotsman.com