MEMBERS of Scottish Labour have been accused of plotting to oust former leader Kezia Dugdale after interim leader Alex Rowley was recorded declaring his support for Richard Leonard.
A recording, made at the Labour conference in Brighton and obtained by The Sun, revealed that the caretaker boss backed Leonard for the top job, despite his assurances that he would remain neutral during the current leadership contest.
The Fife MSP has also been accused of revealing a plot to replace Dugdale before the next Holyrood election in 2021.
In the recording, Rowley is heard speaking candidly to a student while reportedly waiting in a queue for an event held by pro-Jeremy Corbyn group Momentum.
He says: “Although I’m neutral in the leadership I also believe that Richard Leonard has everything that we need to win in 2021. I really do.
“So when, to our surprise, the job became vacant, it just seemed to me that from a Left perspective, the person that was most suited to do that job would be Richard Leonard.”
The recording also reveals that Rowley had backed Leonard to become leader ‘for some time’ and that he didn’t think Dugdale would last in the position until 2021.
The former leader’s shock resignation in August triggered a contest between pro-Corbyn left winger Richard Leonard and fellow MSP Anas Sarwar to take over.
Rowley was also accused last week of briefing against Sarwar over his family business.
“I haven’t come out for any candidate.” he told the BBC.
“I’ve remained neutral. I have one vote the same as every other party member. The Labour Party members will decide who they want to put in as our next leader.”
Senior Labour MSP Jackie Baillie offered strong words of criticism to the interim leader after the latest accusations emerged earlier today.
She said: “Alex Rowley’s hypocrisy is incredibly disappointing, But what is most concerning is the revelations about a plot against Kezia Dugdale.
“Kez was elected with a huge majority and it will infuriate members to learn that some MSPs were working behind the scenes to undermine her and replace her with Richard Leonard.
“Richard must urgently answer questions about his role in this plot.
“This behaviour by the party establishment is a complete betrayal of the membership and every value we hold dear.”
Baillie backs Sarwar in the Scottish Labour leadership contest.
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “Alex was having what he believed to be a private conversation with a student and a political activist.
“He has not and will not publicly back a candidate.
“He has no intention of relinquishing his role as interim leader of the Labour Party in Scotland until after the current leadership contest is over.”
A spokesperson for the Leonard campaign said: “If there were any attempts to undermine Kezia, the did not involve Richard and he knew nothing of them. Any statements that he did are completely false.”
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