Exclusive:Anas Sarwar 'has serious questions to answer about Scottish Labour culture' after scandals, says SNP

The Nationalists called for the Scottish Labour leader “to come clean on why these revelations keep happening”.

It follows two Labour MSPs being suspended by the party.

Pam Duncan-Glancy quit her education role last week after the Daily Record approached Scottish Labour about her friendship with former councillor Sean Morton.

The party has since faced internal calls to sack her as a candidate for next year’s Holyrood election.

SNP MSP for Stathkelvin and Bearsden Rona Mackay said: “Labour’s selection process is a matter for them but Anas Sarwar has serious questions to answer about the culture within the Scottish Labour Party after a string of scandals over recent months.

“Nobody is asking for details about individual cases but he needs to come clean on why these revelations keep happening."

Ms Duncan-Glancy maintained her friendship with Mr Morton despite him pleading guilty in 2017 to possessing indecent images of girls under 15 and of a couple having sex with a dog.

The Glasgow MSP admitted a “serious error of personal judgement” when she resigned from her frontbench role on Friday.

But she did not say she would stand down as an MSP or as a candidate for next year’s Holyrood election.

Mr Morton was made to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work, was given a three-year supervision order and placed on the sex offenders register for three years after pleading guilty.

He was a life-long friend of Ms Duncan-Glancy, who was elected as an MSP for Glasgow in 2021 and had served in frontbench roles since.

It was reported that Ms Duncan-Glancy had stayed in touch with Mr Morton.

The pair had dinner to celebrate the MSP’s birthday and were believed to be in frequent contact, despite Mr Morton being a convicted sex offender.

A Scottish Labour parliamentarian told The Scotsman Ms Duncan-Glancy should not be allowed to stand for the party next year.

They said: “Winning Glasgow will be crucial if Labour is to beat the SNP next year.

“Pam Duncan-Glancy has shown shocking judgment and will damage our campaign in the city.

“She should immediately stand down as a candidate.

“There is no doubt that Reform will weaponise this if she does not.”

South of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth was suspended from Labour in August after being charged with possession of indecent images of children.

He is also facing a further charge over hiding a secret camera in a toilet at the Scottish Parliament, which he has denied. His access to the building has been revoked but he can still contribute to debates and vote remotely.

Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury was suspended by the party in September over an inappropriate conduct claim.

He is currently sitting as an independent MSP and is likely to lose his seat after Labour announced an all-women shortlist for the Edinburgh Northern seat.

Scottish Labour was approached for comment.