Church of Scotland hits out at Labour 'party of faith' claim

Published on Wednesday 24 February 2010 21:46

SCOTTISH Secretary Jim Murphy yesterday came under fire for his attempt this week to portray Labour as the party of faith.

After claims by Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, that the party was responsible for "a relentless onslaught on the family", Mr Murphy also met with a rebuke from the Church of Scotland.

The Rev Ian Galloway, the convener of the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council, reminded Mr Murphy that "no party has a monopoly on faith".

He pointed out that Church of Scotland members belonged to all the main parties in Scotland.

A prominent Scottish Muslim lawyer, Aamer Anwar, also went on the attack.

Mr Anwar, who recently bid thousands of pounds to have lunch with SNP First Minister Alex Salmond but does not belong to a party, said: "I believe it is time that Labour stopped thinking of the Muslim vote as their property.

"For over 30 years so-called community leaders in Glasgow have been up to their necks in corruption and vote rigging, with elected representatives ruling as though certain areas are outposts of Pakistan.

"At the first sign of a weakening of their hold they attack those who represent a break from the past."

He added: "I believe Jim Murphy's attempt to drag religion into wooing voters is desperate and patronising. People no longer want politicians who claim to represent us on the basis of our religion or the colour of our skin."

The issue was also raised in Scottish questions with jokes from opposition parties, with Conservative shadow Scottish Secretary asking about his links with heaven.

Then on a question about intellectual property, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson asked whether Mr Murphy thought any party had "full ownership in business or in matters of faith."