Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said he “accepts” the criticism over his family’s decision to send their children to a private school.
Asked if he was a hypocrite for using private schools, he said: “I have been called worse than that.”
Sarwar faced the questions after he launched his party’s Holyrood election manifesto.
Labour’s national recovery plan includes detailed policies for turning the country around, including a catch up plan for schools.
One of the policy commitments is to strip away some of the financial support received by fee-paying schools.
The manifesto states: “Scottish Labour will end all public sector support for fee-paying private schools, implementing the recommendations made by the Barclay Review to end their charitable status for rates relief as a contribution towards achieving a more socially just and inclusive society.”
However, the issue is uncomfortable for Sarwar as he and his wife send their children to a private school in Glasgow.
Asked about the manifesto policy and his family’s choice, Sarwar said: “I have supported this policy ever since Kez Dugdale was leader and we included it in our manifesto, and I proudly support it now.
“I am open about the fair question and the fair criticism that people make around the decision that my wife and I made for our children. Every parent wants to do what is best for their children, but I want every child to have opportunity.”
He was also asked about the damage he feels private schools do to society: “I want everyone to have a quality education across the country. As I say, I’ll give you the same answer, I accept the criticism, but it was a decision that my wife and I made for our children, but I want every parent to have the best for their children.”
Asked if he accepted the criticism that he is a hypocrite, Sarwar said:
“You can call me whatever you like...i have been called worse than that.”
Asked if it was an accurate criticism that he is practising one thing while preaching another, he said: “I accept it is a fair criticism.”
