Labour suspends councillor for Islamophobic comment

Labour has suspended a councillor who made an Islamophobic comment about Transport Minister Humza Yousaf while the party carries out an investigation.

Jim Dempster, a councillor in Dumfries and Galloway, is facing calls to resign after telling a meeting that Humza Yousaf “may have been at Springholm but no-one would have seen him under his burka”.

The comment was made in a meeting in Ayrshire, with a Transport Scotland official reporting the councillor to the local authority and requesting an investigation.

Calling for Dempster to resign, Yousaf said: “This kind of Islamophobic slur wouldn't be out of place at a BNP rally. The fact a Scottish Labour politician has made it has left me utterly shocked.

“Jim Dempster should do the honourable thing and resign as a councillor.

“As elected members we are rightly held up to the highest standards. Using hate speech of any kind in such a deliberate and malicious way is simply not acceptable and makes his position untenable.”

Dempster, who told BBC Scotland he had referred himself for diversity training, said he was “thoroughly ashamed” of the comments.

He said: "I am fully aware of the hurt and offence that my words will have caused you. My ignorance is totally inexcusable.

"I do take full responsibility for my actions, and offer you a full and humble apology. I know how offensive and terrible what I said will sound, but this stupid and ill-judged remark is not representative of who I am.

"Please accept my sincere apology, as I reflect on the impact of my conduct, and what I need to personally address."