Labour MSP has whip removed over links to Scottish sex offender
Pam Duncan-Glancy has been criticised for her friendship with ex-Moray councillor Sean Morton
A Labour MSP has had the party whip withdrawn over her friendship with a convicted Scottish sex offender.
Pam Duncan-Glancy previously resigned as Labour’s education spokeswoman in Holyrood over her links to Sean Morton, a former Labour councillor who admitted having indecent images of children and extreme pornography in 2017.
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. Morton pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children in 2017.
A Labour spokesperson said: “All complaints are assessed thoroughly in line with our rules and procedures.”
It is understood the whip has been withdrawn from Ms Duncan-Glancy while an investigation is carried out.
Last year, the Glasgow MSP announced she was withdrawing as a candidate for the Holyrood election in May over the row.
She said she did not wish for a “personal friendship” to become a distraction.
In a statement, Lord Doyle apologised “unreservedly” for supporting Morton before the case against him had concluded.
He said: “I want to apologise for my past association with Sean Morton.
“His offences were vile and I completely condemn the actions for which he was rightly convicted. My thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted by these crimes.
“At the point of my campaigning support, Morton repeatedly asserted to all those who knew him his innocence, including initially in court. He later changed his plea in court to guilty.
“To have not ceased support ahead of a judicial conclusion was a clear error of judgment for which I apologise unreservedly.”
Labour had suspended Morton after he appeared in court in connection with indecent child images in late 2016.
Lord Doyle campaigned for Morton when he ran as an Independent in May 2017.
Morton admitted having indecent images of children in November 2017.
Lord Doyle said: “Those of us who took him at his word were clearly mistaken. I have never sought to dismiss or diminish the seriousness of the offences for which he was rightly convicted.
“They are clearly abhorrent and I have never questioned his conviction.
“Following his conviction any contact was extremely limited and I have not seen or spoken to him in years.
“Twice I was at events organised by other people, which he attended, and once I saw him to check on his welfare after concerns were raised through others.
“I acted to try to ensure the welfare of a troubled individual whilst fully condemning the crimes for which he has been convicted and being clear that my thoughts are with the victims of his crimes. I am sorry about the mistakes I have made. I will not be taking the Labour whip.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, let me conclude where I started. Morton’s crimes were vile and my only concerns are for his victims.”
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Tory leader Mrs Badenoch said: “Keir Starmer handed a peerage to Matthew Doyle despite knowing about his ongoing friendship with a man charged with child sex crimes.
“The Prime Minister has now suspended the whip, but he must come clean about what he was told before making this appointment. We won’t let this go.”
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