AN ex-Labour councillor who claimed he was on the party’s shortlist for the next General Election has been blocked from standing.
Garry Haldane, who previously represented the Dunfermline Central Ward in Fife, said on his Facebook he had been put up as a possible candidate.
But The Courier reported his candidacy was blocked by Labour high command.
In a post on Facebook, Haldane said: “It is with great pride that I can announce that I have been shortlisted for the Labour Party in the Westminster Parliament selection process to stand in the twinned constituencies for Dunfermline and West Fife/Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath.
“The hustings will take place on April 19 and shortly afterwards the result will be announced.
The guy who posted these has made the shortlist for Scottish Labour in West Fife/ Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath. https://t.co/PoGNY5VFaj pic.twitter.com/sf78c8dhcn
— Marcus Carslaw (@marcuscarslaw1) March 29, 2023
“I would like to wish all the successful candidates good luck.”
However, when The National contacted Scottish Labour about the outcome of the investigation into Haldane’s socials, a spokesperson said: “Mr Haldane will not be a Scottish Labour candidate at the election.”
In 2017, the former councillor was investigated by party figures over “disgusting” posts made by other accounts which he had shared.
One of them read: “25% of the women in this country are on medication for mental illness. It means 75% are running around untreated.”
At the time, Haldane had been in line for £1000 from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) political fund but this was suspended.
Another post claimed refugees were being housed at the expense of ex-servicemen.
According to The Courier, one CWU member at the time described the Facebook posts as “disgusting”.
🔴 DUNFERMLINE & WEST FIFE/KIRKCALDY & COWDENBEATH: Can anybody confirm this tweet from David Carter saying that Garry Haldane has just resigned from the shortlist for this dual selection, and quit the Labour Party? https://t.co/Ite85Krp7Y
— @Tomorrow'sMPs (@tomorrowsmps) March 30, 2023
Haldane did not comment on the allegations at the time.
Another post made on Haldane’s Facebook showed an image of a poppy and some soldiers with the caption: “They fought to keep Britain British!”
At the time of the investigation, a Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “Scottish Labour has a zero tolerance approach towards sexism and racism.
“An investigation will immediately be launched into these social media posts.”
Meanwhile, a Royal Mail spokesperson said in 2017 that the Facebook posts were being investigated and they confirmed they would be speaking to Haldane as part of this.
“Royal Mail operates a strict social media policy which provides details of the behaviours and standards expected of all Royal Mail Group employees whenever they use social media tools, either as part of their job at Royal Mail or in a personal capacity”, the spokesperson said.
Royal Mail has been approached for comment on the investigation and how it concluded.
The National has approached Haldane for comment.
