A FURIOUS row has broken out after an SNP activist accused Anas Sarwar of “cheating” his constituents.
SNP National Executive member Toni Giugliano believes that voters in Glasgow Central are being tricked into thinking that they have received a handwritten note from a neighbour encouraging them to vote for Sarwar.
However the letters, which purport to be sent by different neighbours, are all printed and are exactly the same.
The letters start off “Dear Neighbour, I am one of your neighbours in Kinning Park/Govanhill/Dundasvale. I don’t normally get involved in politics, but who we have fighting for us as our local Member of Parliament will make a big difference to people living in Glasgow.”
The letter continues: “When I went to see Anas Sarwar about an issue that was affecting me, he couldn’t have been more helpful. He stood up for me and now I’m asking you to stand up for him.”
The four letters seen by The National are signed by William in Clifford Gardens, Caroline in Aikenhead Road, Joanne in Inglefield Street, and Flo in Dundasvale Court.
When constituents noticed and commented on the similarities online, Sarwar reacted by sharing pictures of William, Caroline and Flo.
The politician tweeted: “Await apologies from all those doing false outrage over last couple of days. U know who you are, u must feel silly...”
Sarwar did not receive those apologies.
The National was unable to make contact with the constituents named. It is not known if the William, Caroline, Joanne and Flo are Labour Party members, or if they are constituents who have asked Sarwar for help over the course of the last five years. It is also not known how many people receive each letter.
Although there is no suggestion that Sarwar has in any way broken the law, Giugliano believes that the alleged mock authenticity of the letter will be misleading.
Giugliano told The National: “What was dressed up as a spontaneous letter from a neighbour has been exposed as a Labour party operation. Why is Sarwar cheating his own constituents?
“Labour MPs will do anything to cling on to power. But this election is about Scotland – not the future of career politicians. SNP MPs will always put the interests of Scotland first.
A spokesman for Scottish Labour said: “This ridiculous smear was immediately disproved, Anas is still waiting on an apology.”
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