AN apology appears to have saved the political career of Edinburgh Labour councillor Professor Scott Arthur, who launched a poll on social media asking if Scotland’s most senior Muslim politician, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf, was attracted to politics by the 9/11 attacks, the Iraq War or photo calls.
The councillor “unreservedly apologised” after his poll provoked anger from anti-racism campaigners. Yousaf himself wrote to Edinburgh’s Labour Group leader Cammy Day asking him to take action against Arthur, a professor at Heriot-Watt University in the capital.
READ MORE: Labour councillor apologises for tweet linking Humza Yousaf to 9/11
Yousaf wrote: “Cllr Arthur should carefully reflect on the language he uses and associations he makes. We all want more diversity in politics, the language he used, intentionally Islamophobic or not, is what will put Muslims off entering politics.”
It emerged at the weekend that Arthur, Labour member for Colinton/Fairmilehead, had been carpeted by Day and group whip Maureen Child who decided to accept that Arthur’s words were “a genuine mistake”. Their decision not to suspend or discipline him was backed by Scottish labour HQ.
The National can reveal, however, that his employer Heriot-Watt University has been observing the developing situation.
The university has one of the most diverse student populations in the country. A spokeswoman for
Heriot-Watt University said: “We are aware of the matter and have no further comment at this time.”
Arthur withdrew his tweet after recognising it could cause offence.
He said on his website: “Clearly, Humza Yousaf is not above criticism, but I should have thought more about his race and faith (and how others too often choose to use this against him) before triggering the poll.”
He later tweeted: “This was an error on my part which has been quite difficult for me to come terms with.
“As soon as I recognised my mistake, I offered an unreserved apology & also said I was happy to meet with Humza Yousaf MSP to discuss the issue personally.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss this with Cllr Day, and also for the chance to speak to him about what I have been doing to deal with hate crime in my Ward since I was elected.
“Given Cllr Day’s record in supporting diversity & multiculturalism, I hope people can accept and respect his judgement on this.
“I am grateful for the support my friends and family have given me, & particularly the kind words from Muslims and people from other political parties.”
The matter will be reported to Edinburgh’s Labour group later today but no further action against Arthur is anticipated.
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