THE SNP have challenged Anas Sarwar to call for the deselection of a Labour Party candidate who said smuggler gangs should be “shipped to Scotland”.
Director of the Labour Together think tank Josh Simons has been handed the party's candidacy for Makerfield – a seat held by Labour since it was created in 1983.
Simons previously came under fire for an interview he gave to LBC in which he said, “why don’t you send the smuggler gangs and put them on the barge, and then ship the barge to the north of Scotland for all I care”.
He later apologised for the remarks although had been accused by Sarwar of making “stupid” and “flippant” remarks.
One Scottish Labour source even claimed at the time, “I’ve no idea who he is but he should f*** off”.
Commenting on the selection, SNP candidate for Glasgow North Alison Thewliss said: “Anas Sarwar must come clean and admit whether he backs the selection of a Labour Party candidate who said smuggler gangs should be put on a barge and shipped to Scotland – or whether he will call for him to be deselected.
“Sarwar previously claimed Josh Simons’ views don’t represent the Labour Party, despite Mr Simons being a key ally of Keir Starmer, but now it’s indisputable that they do.
“Does Sarwar have so little influence that he couldn’t prevent this Starmer stitch-up? Will he now call for Mr Simons to be deselected – or will he fall into line behind his Westminster leaders and prove he is nothing more than a branch office manager, doing Westminster’s bidding?”
Thewliss further said that Simons’s comments were a “disgrace” and that they showed “breathtaking arrogance” towards Scotland.
Stephen Flynn was also among those to criticise Labour, writing on Twitter/X: “Labour have selected a candidate who said that gangs should be put on a barge and shipped to the north of Scotland.
Labour have selected a candidate who said that gangs should be put on a barge and shipped to the North of Scotland. At the time, Anas Sarwar said “he doesn’t represent the Labour Party”. Well, he does now. Here are the views of the changed Labour Party. ⬇️ https://t.co/hnlH8xRZom pic.twitter.com/L9KMCR40gR
— Stephen Flynn (@StephenFlynnSNP) May 29, 2024
“At the time, Anas Sarwar said ‘he doesn’t represent the Labour Party’. Well, he does now.”
Elsewhere, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “Extraordinary to see Labour doubling down on a purge of progressive candidates tonight, while selecting right wingers like this just weeks before the election.
“There will be a change of government, sure, but don’t expect Labour to offer a change of politics.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Labour said: “This desperate SNP attack is proof the party is well and truly out of positive ideas on how to deliver the change Scotland needs.
"Instead of worrying about a months-old interview by a candidate in Makerfield, the SNP should focus on fixing the chaos it has made in Scotland – from sky-high NHS waiting lists to a flatlining economy.
"Labour has selected a fantastic group of candidates in place for the General Election on Thursday 4 July.
"It’s clear that only Labour has a real plan to deliver the change that Scotland needs – by cutting bills, boosting pay, growing our economy and renewing public services."
