AN SNP MP has accused Scottish Labour of "rewarding hateful views", after a former MP suspended over alleged anti-Semitism was given a post as deputy council group leader just months after returning to the party.
Jim Sheridan will be the new opposition depute at the SNP-run Renfrewshire Council, sitting on the party's leadership board there.
Sheridan had been suspended last August after suggesting Jewish members were "plotting" with Blairites to foment the party's anti-Semitism row.
He wrote on Facebook: “For almost all my adult life I have had the utmost respect and empathy for the Jewish community and their historic suffering.
“No longer due to what they and their Blairite plotters are doing to my party and the long suffering people of Britain who need a radical Labour government.”
His suspension was lifted in January with no further action taken by the party.
In response to criticism of his promotion, Sheridan told the Paisley Daily Express: “I was cleared, so what people’s opinions are is entirely up to them. I can’t influence them, nor do I want to influence their opinions.”
He had served as MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire from 2001 to 2015, and has been a councillor since 2017.
Responding to Sheridan's appointment, which comes after the exit of Labour group depute Derek Bibby, SNP MP for Paisley & Renfrewshire North Gavin Newlands said: “It seems that as a reward for harbouring hateful views, the Labour party will hand you a promotion.
“Only a few months ago, Jim Sheridan was placed under investigation for making antisemitic comments – using extremely questionable language just weeks after his dubious reinstatement.
“Now they’ve chosen to promote this disgraced politician as the party deputy in Renfrewshire – Labour need to explain themselves. “Richard Leonard has failed to take any action on the issue of racism that runs right through his party.
“Let’s not forget that Labour are yet to take any disciplinary action after a Dumfries councillor launched an Islamophobic attack on Justice Secretary, Humza Yousaf, well over a year ago.”
Speaking to the Paisley Daily Express, Sheridan said he was "honoured" by the appointment.
He said: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s another challenge. I’m hoping to fulfil the role to its expectations. I’m quite honoured that the group voted for me and felt I was capable.”
Sheridan was the unanimous choice of the group’s AGM, according to Labour group leader Eddie Devine.
Paul Masterton, the Tory MP for East Renfrewshire, said: "Labour already disgraced itself by allowing Jim Sheridan back into the fold so easily.
“Now it’s gone even further by promoting him to second-in-command.
“Not that anyone needs reminding, but this again goes to show that Labour simply isn’t serious about dealing with anti-Semitism.”
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