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 election. This announcement comes in light of her friendship with convicted sex offender Sean Morton, which she deemed a potential distraction from her political responsibilities.
Duncan-Glancy revealed her decision on Sunday, stating she prioritizes her constituents and the work of the Labour Party. “I am announcing today that I am withdrawing as a candidate for the Scottish Parliamentary election next year,” 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.”
The Glasgow region MSP, who has served as Labour’s education spokeswoman, has faced scrutiny following reports of her ongoing relationship with Morton. In 2017, Morton, a former Labour councillor, pleaded guilty to possession of indecent images of children and extreme pornography. He received a community payback order, which mandated that he complete 140 hours of unpaid work.
Duncan-Glancy expressed gratitude for her time in office and reaffirmed her commitment to the Labour cause. “I promised in my first speech in parliament to give a voice to the voiceless. I will go on doing that,” she stated. She confirmed her intention to continue representing her constituents for the next five months, emphasizing her dedication to the causes she believes in.
In response to her resignation, a spokesperson for Scottish Labour commented, “Pam Duncan-Glancy has withdrawn as a parliamentary candidate for the Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill constituency.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 selection process for a replacement candidate will now be reopened, allowing the Labour Party to choose a new representative for the constituency ahead of the elections scheduled for next year. Duncan-Glancy’s resignation marks a significant moment for the Labour Party as it navigates the complexities of public perception and party integrity in a challenging political climate.
