Lead By Example
The Sunday Times reported that Alex Rowley has had his suspension from the Labour group at Holyrood lifted, but fails to explain why an investigation into his alleged conduct could not proceed.
Just because the complainant wished to remain anonymous seems a poor excuse if you ask me, because complaints are often made anonymously by people who fear retribution and victimisation for speaking out, sometimes with very good reason.
So this seems far from good or best practice which is worrying because such a high profile public organisation as the Scottish Labour Party out to be leading by example.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rowley-ive-no-chance-to-answer-allegations-rprbkdzf2?shareToken=e32e9ad98319651940e1e3811a42a722
Rowley: I’ve no chance to answer allegations
By John Boothman - The Sunday Times
A woman has accused Rowley of a three-year campaign of harassment -PA
Alex Rowley has stepped down as deputy leader of the Scottish Labour party following claims of harassment made against him.
The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife is expected to have his suspension from the Labour group at Holyrood lifted this week.
Rowley said yesterday that he was disappointed a Labour party panel considering his case had been unable to fully investigate the claims and that he did not have the chance to answer them.
A woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently said she had been the victim of three years of harassment. She claimed that he had sent her abusive texts after an acrimonious break-up about five years ago.
At the time Rowley said he “totally” rejected the accusations.
In a statement yesterday Rowley said: “I am pleased the panel has discharged the case which I referred to them, but I am disappointed that they were unable fully to investigate — and I to have the opportunity to answer — the allegations, which relate to the acrimonious end to a relationship nearly five years ago.
“This means the only opportunity to do so would have been through the media and I am not prepared to cause that distress to my family.”
Rowley said he would continue to work as a Labour MSP, his deputy leader role being taken over in the interim by Lesley Laird, MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said Rowley had informed him that he had decided “some time ago” to stand down as deputy and praised him as “a loyal and experienced member of the Labour group who would “continue to play a part in rebuilding the Labour party in Scotland”.
Leonard is expected to reshuffle his opposition front-bench team
this week. Neil Findlay and Monica Lennon are expected to be given key roles, and attention will be paid to the fate of Jackie Baillie and former leader Iain Gray, who backed Leonard’s leadership opponent Anas Sarwar.
Former leader Kezia Dugdale is not expected to feature in the new-look Labour team after her appearance in the TV reality show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here.
Alex Rowley has stepped down as deputy leader of the Scottish Labour party following claims of harassment made against him.
The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife is expected to have his suspension from the Labour group at Holyrood lifted this week.
Rowley said yesterday that he was disappointed a Labour party panel considering his case had been unable to fully investigate the claims and that he did not have the chance to answer them.
A woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently said she had been the victim of three years of harassment. She claimed that he had sent her abusive texts after an acrimonious break-up about five years ago.
At the time Rowley said he “totally” rejected the accusations.
In a statement yesterday Rowley said: “I am pleased the panel has discharged the case which I referred to them, but I am disappointed that they were unable fully to investigate — and I to have the opportunity to answer — the allegations, which relate to the acrimonious end to a relationship nearly five years ago.
“This means the only opportunity to do so would have been through the media and I am not prepared to cause that distress to my family.”
Rowley said he would continue to work as a Labour MSP, his deputy leader role being taken over in the interim by Lesley Laird, MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said Rowley had informed him that he had decided “some time ago” to stand down as deputy and praised him as “a loyal and experienced member of the Labour group who would “continue to play a part in rebuilding the Labour party in Scotland”.
Leonard is expected to reshuffle his opposition front-bench team
this week. Neil Findlay and Monica Lennon are expected to be given key roles, and attention will be paid to the fate of Jackie Baillie and former leader Iain Gray, who backed Leonard’s leadership opponent Anas Sarwar.
Former leader Kezia Dugdale is not expected to feature in the new-look Labour team after her appearance in the TV reality show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here.
