A SCOTTISH Labour politician has been urged to step down as an MP after he admitted using offensive terms which mock the LGBT and Chinese communities.
Humza Yousaf, the transport minister, called for Hugh Gaffney to consider his position after the remarks were revealed.
Gaffney’s comments come just days after his Holyrood colleague Anas Sarwar launched an anti-racism campaign and spoke out about negative experiences he had to deal with inside the party.
Gaffney has since apologised and has been instructed by the party to take part in “diversity training”.
Shortly after news broke about Gaffney’s remarks, Sarwar responded on social media.
Highlighting his eight-point plan to tackle everyday racism, he wrote: “Today is sadly another example of why we need to recognise that everyday racism is a reality. I published an 8-point plan yesterday on how @scottishlabour can lead by example.... Deeds not words.”
Yousaf tweeted: “How must Anas and others in the party feel? A week after Anas bravely spoke out about the racism within his own party this buffoon makes more racist remarks.”
He went on to highlight one of the offensive terms Gaffney used, and questioned whether “diversity training” would “cut it”.
Yousaf added: “Add to that the slur to the LGBTI community. Hugh made these comments to a room of 200ppl! That’s how comfortable some are with racism/homophobia I don’t know Hugh but with language like that I think he should seriously reflect on whether he should continue as an MP or not.”
Gaffney yesterday admitted using “deeply offensive” language during a Burns Supper speech at the weekend.
The Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill MP attempted to crack an inappropriate joke about the Bard’s sexuality and also used the derogatory term “chinky” when describing a Chinese meal.
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 off being a farmer/But he really was such a charmer/Going for ales he frequent/Telling the lads and lassies he was not bent.”
Labour has been keen to underline its record on LGBT rights and enacted equalities legislation while 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 1, 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.”
Gaffney was elected last year as one of seven Labour MPs north of the Border. He is also a councillor in North Lanarkshire.
He 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.”
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Hugh Gaffney MP has been reprimanded for using inappropriate and offensive language. He has apologised unreservedly and referred himself for equality and diversity training. The Labour Party is clear that this language is unacceptable.”
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