MSP 'just wrong' to show loyalty to convicted sex offender, says Sarwar

An MSP suspended from Scottish Labour over her friendship with a convicted sex offender was “just wrong” to show him loyalty, the party’s leader has said.

Anas Sarwar said such offenders deserve to be “shunned”.

Pam Duncan-Glancy previously had the whip removed over her links to Sean Morton, a former Labour councillor who admitted having indecent images of children and extreme pornography in 2017.

Pam Duncan-Glancy | PA

She has defended her decision to maintain a relationship with him, describing Morton as “for all intents and purposes family”.

READ MORE: Labour MSP suspended over links to sex offender says he was 'family'

In a statement on Wednesday, she said: “My personal relationship with someone who grew up with me, who stayed with my family for periods of time during our childhood, and who is to all intents and purposes my family, has never affected my work.

“My actions arise from loyalty and care. I was providing support to a highly vulnerable person. Loyalty and care are values I think make me a good representative and for which I believe others know me for.”

She said she had “never condoned his crimes and have always been clear that his actions were wrong”.

Morton pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children in 2017.

Appearing on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show, Mr Sarwar was asked what he would have done in similar circumstances.

He said: "If someone is a convicted paedophile, they deserve to be shunned. They don't deserve friendship or loyalty, and therefore I would absolutely take a different approach. So, I'm sorry, she's just wrong."

Ms Duncan-Glancy resigned as Labour’s education spokeswoman in Holyrood last year over her friendship with Morton. She has also been removed as a candidate in the upcoming Holyrood election.

Sir Keir Starmer’s former media chief, Matthew Doyle, who joined the House of Lords last month, has also lost the Labour whip over his connection to Morton.

Mr Doyle campaigned for Morton after he was charged with possessing indecent images of girls under 15 and of a couple having sex with a dog. He has apologised “unreservedly” for supporting Morton before the case against him had concluded.

“At the point of my campaigning support, Morton repeatedly asserted to all those who knew him his innocence, including initially in court,” Mr Doyle said in a statement. “He later changed his plea in court to guilty.”