SCOTLAND’S Justice Secretary has attacked Jeremy Corbyn as “duplicitous" and a "hypocrite” over Labour’s handling of racism allegations.
Humza Yousaf savaged the UK leader, as well as Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, over a protracted disciplinary case involving Dumfries & Galloway councillor Jim Dempster.
Mr Yousaf admitted he was "p***ed off" at the situation.
Mr Dempster “unreservedly apologised” in March after admitting he told government officials at a meeting that “no one would have seen [Mr Yousaf] under his burka”.
He was suspended by Labour after the Islamophobic comment, but six months later the party has still not contacted key witnesses to his behaviour.
Despite the delay, Mr Corbyn defended his party’s record on BBC Scotland yesterday.
He said: “As a party we don't tolerate racism in any form.I as party leader do not tolerate racism in any form. It is all investigated as quickly as it can be investigated and appropriate action is taken."
Pressed on the timescale, Mr Corbyn said: “Listen, the case is being dealt with and it will be dealt with because we do not tolerate racism in any form in our society. The issues that face us all are the need to be united and not allow racism to fester any more than we would allow the far-right to rise anywhere across this country."
He later told ITV Border the evidence against Mr Dempster was “very strong” and would be presented to the party’s National Constitutional Committee.
He said: “He’ll present his case. The evidence against him, which I have to say is very strong, will be presented against him and action will be taken.”
Mr Yousaf said: “He [Cllr Dempster] should have been expelled. What have Labour done in six months? Zero, zilch, nada. Let's call Corbyn out - he is utterly duplicitous when it comes to tackling racism in his own party.
"He says many warm words then fails miserably to follow it up with any action. He is a hypocrite and has been exposed as one time and time again."
Mr Yousaf also challenged Mr Corbyn and Mr Leonard on Twitter on the issue, writing: “It's easy to turn up to anti-racism demos & take pics with minorities. Real test is fighting plague of racism & bigotry that exists within your own movement, on that measure you have both completely failed. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
"I'm usually a pretty calm guy, but yeah I'm p***ed off. Demonstrates once again structural bias that exists in society.
“Switch my race with Dempster's and imagine it was a White Govt Minister that had been racially abused by an Asian Cllr - he would've been expelled long ago."
Asked about Mr Yousaf’s comments, Mr Corbyn said: “We do not tolerate racism in any form from anybody at any time in our party. That is why Jim Dempster was immediately suspended.”
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