Wikipedia page of Labour leadership hopeful edited to downplay criticism

Joe Fagan, a South Scotland MSP, said he would "reach out beyond the Holyrood bubble and shake up Scottish politics" when he launched his bid for the top job on Tuesday evening.

Less than half an hour earlier, a Wikipedia user called Bellerophon1975 made several edits to his page, including some which were described on the website as "reducing undue weight attached to intra-group squabbles" during his time as leader of South Lanarkshire Council.

Mr Fagan led the local authority from 2022 to 2026. He was elected as an MSP at the Holyrood election in May.

READ MORE: MSP elected just two months ago running for Scottish Labour leadership

One edited sentence previously said Mr Fagan had been criticised by a fellow Labour councillor, Mathew Buchanan, "for his authoritarian leadership and presiding over a culture of intimidation".

The page also referenced a complaint by Labour councillor Monique McAdams "for placing her on council committees against her will, after which she subsequently took a leave of absence for sickness".

These were replaced with a sentence reading: "Fagan's leadership was criticised by two Labour colleagues during the term: Monique McAdams over committee appointments in 2022, and Matthew Buchanan in a 2023 letter to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar."

Mr Fagan is one of three MSPs who have so far put their names forward for the party leadership following the resignation of Anas Sarwar, with the other two being Monica Lennon and Michael Marra.

A new leader will be elected by September 19.

Mr Sarwar quit the post to join new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government, where he will be a trade minister in the Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

To take up the role he will join the House of Lords - a move which has caused controversy within Scottish Labour.

Mr Fagan was approached for comment.