DOUGLAS ALEXANDER has been urged to explain his campaigning in Aberdeen with a Labour council candidate who was previously suspended ahead of an investigation into racism.
Kirsty Blackman, SNP MP for Aberdeen North, said the Scottish Secretary had "serious questions" to answer over his decision to go door-knocking with Willie Young, a candidate for the Midstocket/Rosemount by-election on October 8.
Young lost his council seat in 2017, and in 2020 faced an investigation after he shared an image of a fortune cookie, presented as a replacement coronavirus test, with a message written in broken English.
Criticising Alexander's campaigning, Blackman told The National: "Is he unaware of who this man is?
"Rather than posting for pics, Douglas Alexander should have spent his time in Aberdeen explaining why his government has destroyed 25,000 oil and gas jobs.
"Voters in Aberdeen deserve answers from Douglas Alexander, and it is time he and the Labour Party gave them."
Great to be on the doors with @D_G_Alexander Secretary of State for Scotland @UKGovScotland speaking to voters in Midstocket/Rosemount who want a councillor who will look after their interests. If you want change you need to vote for it. On Thursday 8 October vote Willie Young 1 pic.twitter.com/VmgHh7pWyi
— William Young (@youngwd1) September 22, 2026
Speaking to BBC Scotland following the incident, Young said the comment was "tongue-in-cheek".
He added: "I am not a racist, I am mortified people would think I was racist."
It's not clear whether Young, a former finance convener and deputy lieutenant, was cleared over the social media post or whether the investigation found him guilty.
At the time, a Labour Party spokesperson said: "The Labour Party takes all complaints of racism extremely seriously, and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”
Young was previously reported to the Scottish Public Standards Commissioner after he tweeted "village idiot" at an opponent, but was later cleared of wrongdoing.
He is now running to be elected in the by-election which was triggered following the death of SNP councillor Bill Cromie in August.
Labour have been approached for comment.
