Scottish Labour criticises Swinney for failure to condemn antisemitism

John Swinney has today been condemned for his failure to call out anti-Semitic and hateful remarks made by Kanye West.

The SNP leader was questioned by journalists about West during an election campaign stop on Tuesday.

However, he played down the remarks, telling reporters that “people are going to say things”.

Commenting, Scottish Labour equalities spokesperson Paul O'Kane said: “Antisemitism in all its forms must be confronted and we all have a responsibility to ensure our country is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure.

“Kanye West has made deeply offensive and harmful remarks towards Jewish people and has openly celebrated Nazism. That is utterly reprehensible and should be condemned.

“John Swinney is wrong to brush this off by telling journalists that ‘people are going to say things'. This diminishes the harm and the hurt that these words cause, and he should do the right thing and condemn them.”