A Scottish Labour MP has admitted using "deeply offensive" language during a Burns Supper speech at the weekend.
Hugh Gaffney, who represents Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill, cracked a joke about the bard not being “bent” and also used a derogatory word when describing a Chinese meal, according to The Herald.
The MP has now apologised and agreed to go equality and diversity training.
Gaffney, 54, made the remarks as he gave the Immortal Memory at a Scottish Labour student event in Edinburgh on Saturday evening.
In an attempt at humour, the former postal worker referred to Burns loving women. His speech continued: "He started of being a farmer/But he really was such a charmer/Going for ales he frequent/Telling the lads and lassies he was not bent.”
The MP posted a picture of himself on Twitter making the speech. "Giving the immortal memory at @ScotsLabStudent tonight in edinburgh."
Labour has been keen to underline its record on LGBT rights and enacted equalities legislation in government.
The party's general election manifesto from last year, which Gaffney was elected to implement, stated: "Labour has a proud record of championing the fight for LGBT equality.
"We abolished Section 28, equalised the age of consent, created civil partnerships, and it was only through Labour votes that equal marriage became law. However, there is still a long way to go on issues such as education, equal access to public services, levels of LGBT hate crime, and mental and physical wellbeing."
On February 1st, Gaffney tweeted on LGBT rights and miners: "Today marks the start of #LGBThistorymonth. 30 years ago the London pride march was led by Welsh miners after @LGSMpride supported them during the strike. The miners showed solidarity for the LGBT struggle. That year the @UKLabour put Gay & Lesbein [sic] rights in to the manifesto."
It is understood party bosses hauled Gaffney in for talks this week and he made an apology.
He was elected last year as one of seven Labour MPs north of the border. He is also a councillor in North Lanarkshire.
Gaffney said: “Last week I attended a Labour Students Burns Supper In Edinburgh. At that event I used certain language relating to the Chinese and LGBT communities that was wrong and completely inappropriate. I want to offer my unreserved apologies for what I said; my remarks were deeply offensive and unacceptable. I will be taking part in equality and diversity training at the earliest opportunity.
"I will do everything possible to make amends with both the Chinese community and the LGBT community.”
An SNP spokesperson: “Toasts at Burns Suppers are, of course, meant to be entertaining. But it’s clearly beyond the wit of Hugh Gaffney to toe the line between what’s humorous and what’s downright offensive. He’s an elected representative in 2018, not a pub bore in a working men’s club of years gone by.
“While he’s hardly known as one of the more enlightened or progressive voices of the Labour movement, this language clearly has no place in modern politics – especially at a youth event.”
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