SCOTTISH Labour are in a row with the Society of Editors over a fake newspaper the party is distributing to voters.
The industry body, which represents around 400 UK national and regional media editors, accused Scottish Labour of “attempting to mislead voters” with an “absurd practice” that is “damaging to democracy”.
In multiple posts to social media, its activists and politicians have been pictured campaigning with copies of “Scotland’s Voice” – which appears to be a multiple page campaign leaflet in the format of a newspaper.
One copy had the headline “Ready To Deliver Scotland’s New Direction” while another had “Scotland’s Best Days Are Ahead Of Us”, accompanied by a picture of leader Anas Sarwar (below).
I'm delighted to announce that I have been selected as @ScottishLabour candidate for Strathkelvin & Bearsden. This constituency needs an MSP who will fight for them in parliament. This morning I was in Lennoxtown, speaking to voters. They want change at Holyrood in 2026. pic.twitter.com/mxyXydAQig
— Cllr Colette McDiarmid (@coletteeastdun) August 16, 2025
Previously, the Society of Editors has hit out at political parties for using fake newspapers as campaign material, pledging to "name and shame" culprits after a row with the Liberal Democrats for publishing a similar fake newspaper in 2023.
Now, it has taken aim at Scottish Labour – saying that distributing fake newspapers is “insulting to the electorate”.
“The society has long campaigned against the use of fake newspapers and we are disappointed to see Scottish Labour deploying this mimicry in communication with voters in Scotland,” Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors told The National.
"At a time when transparent and accurate news and information is demanded by the public more than ever, political parties should be working to promote the real local news industry as an impartial and trusted source of news and information rather than attempting to mislead voters through the continued use of this absurd practice.”
She then added: “It is damaging to democracy and insulting to the electorate who deserve to be communicated with in an open and transparent manner."
The SNP also previously took aim at the campaigning material.
“It is deeply ironic that Labour now claim to be Scotland’s voice when their Scottish leadership has failed to stand up to their London bosses on one single issue since they came to power last year,” George Adam MSP told The National.
During the Southside by-election in Glasgow in March, the SNP also took aim at a leaflet which claimed that GB Energy is “lowering bills and creating jobs”.
Keir Starmer, in comments which have been often repeated by his opponents, previously said Labour would help “families save up to £300 off their energy bills” by 2030.
However, the party has faced accusations of having “lied” to the UK public after Ofgem announced that the price cap would rise to £1849 per year from April – an almost £300 increase since Labour entered government in July 2024.
Bob Doris, the SNP MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, then hit out at the “mock newspaper”, which he said had been “designed by Labour to intentionally mislead voters”.
He then asked: “Will Anas Sarwar do the right thing and recall it from further circulation?"
Scottish Labour have been approached for comment.
