Sarwar apology call after ‘misogynistic’ attack by candidate
Labour accused of ‘stoking division’ in letter
ANAS Sarwar was urged to apologise after a Scottish Labour candidate launched a “misogynistic” attack on his SNP and Green competitors in a letter to voters.
Rashid Hussain, the party’s candidate for Glasgow Southside, pitched himself as a defender of women’s rights in a letter to voters in the constituency “as a father of daughters”.
Hussain was a last-minute replacement in the seat after Mohammed Ameen, 43, was charged with fraud.
SNP candidate Kaukab Stewart and Scottish Greens candidate Holly Bruce both called for an apology to be issued.
In the letter, Hussain wrote: “As a father of daughters unlike the SNP and Green candidates, I am also unequivocal in supporting women’s rights to single-sex spaces. This includes saying loudly and clearly that biological males should not be in women-only prisons and spaces.”
In response, Stewart, the equalities minister, accused Labour of trying to stoke division in the community.
“This kind of misogynistic attack on female candidates shows just how desperate the Labour Party have stooped,” she said.
“Anas Sarwar should apologise for
allowing such comments to be sent to households and immediately explain what action the Labour Party will take for Councillor Hussain’s outrageous remarks.
“While Labour try to stoke division in our communities, I will always work to bring people together.”
Scottish Greens candidate Bruce added: “People in Glasgow Southside deserve better than this divisive nonsense.
“Trans rights are human rights and are part of my feminism. There are plenty of Labour members and supporters who feel the same way.
“This should be a positive contest and not one where we smear each other and try to turn communities against one another. I’d urge Labour to retract this shameful letter and apologise for ever issuing it.”
Scottish Labour were contacted for comment.