SCOTTISH Labour have been accused of a “desperate” attack on one of their own MPs after he was criticised for missing a debate which took place five months ago.
A Scottish Labour source hit out at Brian Leishman, so far the only of the party’s cohort north of the Border to criticise the UK Government for cuts, for missing a Westminster Hall debate in October.
Westminster Hall debates are one of the lowest levels at which MPs can raise an issue in Parliament and do not result in votes being cast or policy being decided.
Leishman, the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth and a fierce advocate for the doomed oil refinery in his constituency, missed a debate in the hall on the Scottish economy because he was being elected chair of an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on golfing, the Daily Record reports.
The MP is a former professional golfer.
An anonymous Scottish Labour source told the paper: "Brian's strategy of slagging off his colleagues at every opportunity has certainly raised a few eyebrows.
"Golfing might not be a team sport, but politics is. More time spent driving growth and less on the driving range might be a good place to start."
Alba leader Kenny MacAskill (below) dismissed the story as “guff” and called it a “smear”. He added: “Best Scot at Westminster by a country mile.”
Former Labour MSP Neil Findlay, who revealed he had quit the party earlier this month over benefits cuts, said it was “desperate stuff”.
Glasgow Labour councillor Matt Kerr added: “So obvious what’s going on here. Easier for some to smear than face up to his challenge.”
Richard Simpson, honorary professor of health sciences and sport at Stirling University, said that while Leishman was “left of me in the party”, he supported the MP.
He added: “Brian was a golf professional. It was entirely reasonable that he should attend to seek and obtain the chair. Golf is important to Scotland.
“He has spoken out repeatedly on the economy of his constituency, especially Grangemouth.”
Responding to the briefing against him in the Record, Leishman told the paper: “With multiple golf courses in my constituency and thousands of golfers resident in Alloa and Grangemouth along with my background as a golf professional, I’m delighted to be the chair of the APPG Golf as it plays an important part in the local and national economy, as well as the mental and physical health benefits the sport brings.
“As for politics being described as a 'team sport' then I’m afraid that’s the mentality that turns off and alienates the electorate.
"Politics isn’t a sport, politics is about positively changing people’s lives and making the country a fairer and more equal place.”
Leishman shared the Daily Record story attacking him commenting a golfing emoji. That in turn was shared by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn.
