Scottish Labor leader says he would not allow Natalie Elphicke to be a candidate

Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labor, criticized some of Nathalie Elphicke's previous comments as «completely unacceptable». ; Photo: Watty Cheung

Scottish Labor leader said he would not accept Natalie Elphicke into the party after her split from Sir Keir Starmer.

Anas Sarwar branded Ms Elphicke's past comments «reprehensible» following her move from Conservatives to Sir Keir's party last Wednesday.

The Dover MP has apologized for comments she made in support of her ex-husband. following his conviction for sexual assault, while her past views on trade unions, migration and anti-strike laws have also drawn criticism from her new colleagues in the Labor Party.

Mr Sarwar told Good Morning Scotland: “Looking at some of the comments that have been attributed to her or that she has said, I find them completely unacceptable and do not agree with them. Where I agree with her is that Rishi Sunak is a squatter.»

When asked whether he would have accepted Ms Elphicke into his ranks, he replied: «She certainly wasn't would be a squatter.» Scottish Labor candidate, I can say that very clearly.

«What I agree with Natalie Elphicke is that Rishi Sunak is a disaster… But in terms of her wider comments I don't find them pleasant, and I think some of them are [reprehensible].»

Sir Keir Starmer with Natalie Elphicke in his parliamentary office in the House of Commons after it was announced that the former Conservative MP had defected to the Labor Party. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA

This is not the first time Mr Sarwar and Sir Keir have visited the odds. Last year, the Scottish Labor leader suggested his colleague could introduce legislation allowing 16-year-old children to change their gender if he wins the next general election.

He previously named the two-child benefit cap he currently supports Sir Keir, «disgusting» as Scottish Labor insisted in July it would continue to oppose the restriction.

Mr Sarwar's comments come as Canterbury Labor MP Rosie Duffield called for Ms Elphicke to be suspended from the Labor Party while allegations against her are investigated following reports she lobbied ministers to intervene in the trial Charlie Elphick about sexual assault four years ago.

During a meeting with Sir Robert Buckland, the then justice secretary, she reportedly wanted to change the trial date and also wondered whether the judge would be too harsh on her ex-husband. Her spokesman called the allegations «nonsense.»

Zara Sultana and Graham Morris — two left-wing MPs — shared the letter, which was highly critical of Ms Elphicke, on their social media accounts on Monday.

A letter from Matt Rack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, says Sir Keir has made a «disturbing» decision to welcome a new MP into its ranks.

“Her far-right stance on immigration and her violation of the MP code of conduct are already well known,” Mr. Rack said.

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Approving that Ms Elphicke's criticism of unionists in the House of Commons earlier this year was «incompatible» with Labor Party membership, he added: «Natalie Elphicke should never have been subjected to the Labor Party whip… It seems it was not enough if any due diligence.”