ANAS Sarwar has denied there is a cultural issue in Scottish Labour despite a score of police probes and convictions against party figures – instead insisting there is a cultural issue in the SNP.
The Scottish Labour leader gave a speech in Glasgow on Monday in which he faced challenges from protesters over his position on Gaza – which led him to call Israel’s actions genocide for the first time – and from the media over his handling of charges against MSP Colin Smyth.
Smyth is facing charges linked to allegations of possession of indecent images and also of hiding recording equipment in a Holyrood toilet.
Sarwar said that no concerns about Smyth’s behaviour had been raised previously, called allegations that the MSP hid recording equipment in a Holyrood toilet “distressing”, and said that Scottish Labour had suspended him as soon as they understood “the nature” of the claims.
He said it was “pretty obvious” that Smyth should be removed as convener of Holyrood’s economy committee, a motion on which will go before MSPs on the committee on Tuesday.
The allegations against the MSP come after a series of other incidents involving Scottish Labour figures in the past 18 months, including:
- Fife councillor David Graham was jailed for child sex offences in August.
- Former Glasgow lord provost Philip Braat pled guilty to stalking and was hit with a restraining order, unpaid work, and a fine in July.
- Stirling councillor Ewan Dillon was convicted of possessing images of children being raped in July 2024.
- West Dunbartonshire councillor Craig Edward was jailed for possessing indecent images of children in March 2024.
- Former MSP and Glasgow council leader Frank McAveety is currently facing fraud charges.
- Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe appeared in court on an assault charge in November, which prosecutors decided not to pursue in February.
- Edinburgh Council leader Cammy Day was investigated by police amid allegations of inappropriate messages, with “no criminality” established when it concluded in April.
After being read the list of incidents, Sarwar was asked: “So, you have a pretty major cultural problem in Scottish Labour, don't you? How are you going to address this?”
He responded: “I think what we have a cultural issue with in this country is that we have an SNP that's addicted to wasting people’s money.”
He continued: "To be honest, Xander, I think the question is beneath you and The National."
Earlier on Monday, Sarwar had said that Scottish Labour had its own “independent processes” to ensure candidates are vetted appropriately. After this was read back to him, he was asked: “They're clearly not up to scratch, are they?”
Sarwar said: “There are now charges and there's going to be a court date in the future [in relation to Smyth].
“The cultural issue that we need to address is one of SNP incompetence, wasting people's money and not respecting the public, and that's the culture we're going to challenge.
“That's why we're going to defeat the SNP and I'm sorry, we're going to disappoint The National in the process.”
Pushed on whether he believes there is a “cultural issue inside Scottish Labour”, Sarwar said: “I refute the claim.”
The SNP faced its own police problems in the form of Operation Branchform, which concluded earlier this year with charges linked to embezzlement brought against former party chief executive Peter Murrell.
Smyth has denied the allegations that he hid a camera in the Holyrood toilets. "This allegation has come as an utter shock and one I strongly refute,” he said.
"For legal reasons, I can't respond to specific matters or speculation, and I appreciate there is a process to go through which I am, of course, fully cooperating with. But I sincerely hope it can be concluded quickly and fairly."
Responding to his charge linked to alleged possession of indecent images, he said previously: “These events have come as a shock and this is a deeply stressful time.
“I am obviously cooperating fully with any inquiries and hope the matter can be resolved quickly.
“I am not able to comment further at this stage, and in the meantime I would ask that for the privacy of my family and friends to be respected.”
