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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Labour official 'sorry' for anti-Catholic comment | Labour official 'sorry' for anti-Catholic comment |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Scottish Labour party official who made an anti-Catholic comment at the party's UK conference has apologised. | A Scottish Labour party official who made an anti-Catholic comment at the party's UK conference has apologised. |
| Andy Kerr, the chairman of Scottish Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, said he "might not" call a female delegate to speak after seeing her cross herself. | Andy Kerr, the chairman of Scottish Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, said he "might not" call a female delegate to speak after seeing her cross herself. |
| He later apologised "unreservedly" for the "ill-judged and wrong" comment. | He later apologised "unreservedly" for the "ill-judged and wrong" comment. |
| Leader Richard Leonard said there was "absolutely no room" in the Scottish party for such "unacceptable" remarks. | Leader Richard Leonard said there was "absolutely no room" in the Scottish party for such "unacceptable" remarks. |
| Mr Kerr was speaking from the stage at Labour's conference in Liverpool when he invited a question from a female delegate. | Mr Kerr was speaking from the stage at Labour's conference in Liverpool when he invited a question from a female delegate. |
| During a live broadcast on the BBC's Parliament channel, he was then heard, but not seen, saying: "Did you cross yourself, there? In that case, I might not." | |
| Questioned about this, Mr Kerr - who is also a deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union - said he would "apologise unreservedly". | Questioned about this, Mr Kerr - who is also a deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union - said he would "apologise unreservedly". |
| He added: "I was trying to be light-hearted, but what I said was ill-judged and wrong." | He added: "I was trying to be light-hearted, but what I said was ill-judged and wrong." |
| The comment was condemned by political opponents, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calling it "appalling". | The comment was condemned by political opponents, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calling it "appalling". |
| She added: "The Catholic community is an integral and valued part of Scottish life. Everyone who stands for a Scotland where bigotry and sectarianism have no place, and where we positively embrace diversity, must unite to condemn - regardless of party." | She added: "The Catholic community is an integral and valued part of Scottish life. Everyone who stands for a Scotland where bigotry and sectarianism have no place, and where we positively embrace diversity, must unite to condemn - regardless of party." |
| Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson agreed, saying: "People from all parties and none will be appalled by this and by the casual dismissal of concerns." | Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson agreed, saying: "People from all parties and none will be appalled by this and by the casual dismissal of concerns." |
| Asked on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio programme whether the comment was "bigoted", Mr Leonard said "that might be one way of describing it". | Asked on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio programme whether the comment was "bigoted", Mr Leonard said "that might be one way of describing it". |
| He added: "There is absolutely no room inside the Labour Party for that kind of remark, whether it's meant as a form of humour or not. | He added: "There is absolutely no room inside the Labour Party for that kind of remark, whether it's meant as a form of humour or not. |
| "It's completely unacceptable and Andy Kerr has unreservedly apologised for the remark that he made." | "It's completely unacceptable and Andy Kerr has unreservedly apologised for the remark that he made." |