Scottish Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Pam Duncan-Glancy has announced her decision to withdraw as a candidate for the upcoming Scottish parliamentary elections, citing her friendship with a convicted sex offender as a significant concern. This announcement was made on Sunday, marking a pivotal moment in her political career.
Ms. Duncan-Glancy, who represents the Glasgow region, expressed that she did not want her “personal friendship” to detract from the party’s focus or the important work ahead. In her statement, she said, “While this has obviously been a very difficult decision – and it is the greatest honour of my life to represent Glasgow – I do not wish for a personal friendship to become a distraction.”
Background on the Controversy
The controversy surrounding Ms. Duncan-Glancy stems from her association with Sean Morton, a former Labour councillor who has a criminal record for possessing indecent images of children and extreme pornography. In 2017, Morton pleaded guilty and was subsequently sentenced to a community payback order, which mandated 140 hours of unpaid work.
Following the emergence of reports regarding her continued relationship with Morton, Ms. Duncan-Glancy submitted her resignation from her role as Labour’s education spokeswoman earlier this month. In her announcement, she conveyed gratitude for her time in office, stating, “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve, and I remain committed to returning a Scottish Labour government next year.”
Despite stepping down as a candidate, Ms. Duncan-Glancy emphasized her dedication to her constituents, committing to “continue to fight for my constituents for the next five months, as I have for the last five years.” She reiterated her promise from her first speech in Parliament, declaring her intention to “give a voice to the voiceless.”
Party Response and Future Steps
A spokesperson for Scottish Labour confirmed her withdrawal, stating, “Pam Duncan-Glancy has withdrawn as a parliamentary candidate for the Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill constituency. She has taken the decision to step aside as she does not wish recent stories to become a distraction from the work of the party or its priorities.”
The party has indicated that the selection process for a new candidate will now be reopened, allowing for a replacement to be chosen in light of this development. This decision underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the party as it prepares for the elections.
As the situation continues to unfold, the implications of Ms. Duncan-Glancy’s decision and the surrounding controversy will likely resonate within Scottish Labour and its electoral strategy in the lead-up to the elections.
