Anas Sarwar becomes latest target of online misinformation

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has faced waves of criticism after a fake news story of him criticising Billy Connolly went viral on X.

The screenshot of the mocked-up news story claimed Sarwar had called the Scottish comedian “vulgar” and “offensive”, adding he did not “represent the Scottish people”. However, there is no evidence to back up the quote, with the article appearing nowhere online.

The piece then goes on to falsely claim that Sarwar “would end the culture of vulgarness” that impacts Scotland’s reputation if he wins a majority in next year’s Holyrood election.

The image has been retweeted by hundreds, received more than a thousand likes and several damning comments.

Some have apologised for retweeting the picture since, including author Colin Burnett who said he felt like a “gullible moron” for believing the doctored image.

It is not yet known who created the fake picture.

Scottish Labour has declined to comment.