Parties unite to condemn official’s ‘anti-Catholic’ joke

Andy Kerr, chairman of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee, was speaking from the stage at the party’s annual conference when he invited a question from a female delegate.

When the party member crossed herself on the way to the stage, Kerr shocked the audience in the hall by asking: “Did you cross yourself, there? In that case, I might not.”

The Ayrshire trade unionist, who is the deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, later apologised for the remark, saying he was trying to be “lighthearted”.

But the remark was condemned by Catholic groups and politicians.

The SNP have called for him to be sacked.

Catholics for Labour thanked Kerr for his apology, but called his attempt at a gag “divisive”.

“At a time when religious tensions are high within the party a comment like this was foolish at best, divisive at worst,” they said, adding: “We can never normalise ridiculing anyone of the basis of their religion – we are a party for the many not the few.” First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Andy Kerr’s comment was appalling. The Catholic community is an integral and valued part of Scottish life.

“Everyone who stands for a Scotland where bigotry and sectarianism have no place, and where we positively embrace diversity, must unite to condemn – regardless of party.”

The SNP said it was “untenable” for Kerr to continue on as chairman of Labour’s ruling NEC, effectively in charge of the party’s discipline process, and called for him to be removed.

“Labour are developing a bad habit of trying to brush this kind of behaviour under the rug,” they said.

Tory leader Ruth Davidson echoed the First Minister’s comments: “People from all parties and none will be appalled by this and by the casual dismissal of concerns,” she tweeted.

There was no sympathy for Kerr from Leonard.

Asked on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme if the remark had been bigoted, the Scottish leader replied: “That might be one way of describing it.”

He said: “There is absolutely no room inside the Labour Party for that kind of remark, whether it’s meant as a form of humour or not.

“It’s completely unacceptable and Andy Kerr has unreservedly apologised for the remark that he made.” He added: “There should be no space for it inside the Labour Party and I condemn it.”

Leonard didn’t mention Kerr or the comment during his speech to conference.

The York born MSP told the party faithful that when he stood for the leadership he kept being asked if somebody born in England could be the next First Minister of Scotland.

“Well, for the sake of all of those people, in all of those communities who need Labour Governments, I fully intend to be the next First Minister of Scotland,” he said.

As expected Leonard categorically ruled out a second referendum on Scottish independence, telling delegates: “The majority of people do not want one, and as we meet here this week with the prospect of a general election, I can make clear today that the next Labour manifesto will oppose another independence referendum.”

He added: “We don’t need a referendum to change Scotland. We need the election of a Scottish Labour government to change Scotland.”

Leonard’s said his party had “unfinished business” from their time in Government over land reform.

He promised his party would end the situation where 432 private landowners still own half of all privately owned land in Scotland.

“Labour abolished feudalism in the first term of the Scottish Parliament but 20 years later we are still living with feudal ownership.

“And with ownership comes power. We need land justice because our Earth is a common treasury. We need land ownership in Scotland for the many, not the few.”

Leonard also said he wanted more support for home-grown business, after the crisis with marine energy company BiFab, which left communities facing ruin as hundreds of workers were threatened with redundancy earlier this year.

He said reform of state aid for business, known as regional selective assistance (RSA), would prevent foreign-owned companies continuing to benefit from nearly twice as much RSA than Scottish companies.

SNP MSP George Adam was unconvinced.

“These are just more empty words from Labour who have promised federalism-max for years yet consistently failed to deliver it in both government and opposition,” he said.

“This is the party that worked hand-in-hand with the Tories to block new powers for the Scottish Parliament, including in crucial areas needed to create a fairer and more equal society, like employment and equality law.

“Labour needs to realise that when your actions consistently fail to live up to your promises, people stop believing you.”