Richard Leonard: Andy Kerr Catholic comment ‘completely unacceptable’

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has condemned a comment made by the Glaswegian chair of the party’s ruling NEC at Labour conference in Liverpool.

Andy Kerr was chairing a debate and called on a woman to speak before adding: “Did you cross yourself, there? In that case, I might not.”

The deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) later said: “I was trying to be light hearted but what I said was ill-judged and wrong.”

Leonard told the BBC: “There is absolutely no room inside the Labour Party for that kind of remark, whether it’s meant as a form of humour or not.

“It’s completely unacceptable and Andy Kerr has unreservedly apologised for the remark that he made.

“There should be no space for it inside the Labour Party and I condemn it.”

The comment provoked a backlash on twitter from across the political spectrum.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Andy Kerr's comment was appalling. The Catholic community is an integral and valued part of Scottish life.

“Everyone who stands for a Scotland where bigotry and sectarianism have no place, and where we positively embrace diversity, must unite to condemn - regardless of party.”