THE Scottish Labour leadership is under pressure to discipline a party councillor who suggested that a political opponent used his disabled son as a "political tool".
THE Scottish Labour leadership is under pressure to discipline a party councillor who suggested that a political opponent used his disabled son as a "political tool".
Willie Young, who represents Labour on Aberdeen Council, sent a tweet to SNP MSP Mark McDonald which was described as "offensive and hurtful".
Mr McDonald, whose son has autism, has launched campaigns to end discrimination against those with the condition, and encouraged more cinemas and theatres to put on autism friendly screenings and productions.
Councillor Young tweeted to Mr McDonald and one other person on Sunday: "Feel sorry for his wife & family using them as political tools. Some people never learn family sacred."
He sent the tweet days after Labour called on the SNP leadership to take action against four councillors who burned a copy of the Smith Commission report and uploaded a video to the internet.
Even after the SNP suspended the councillors, interim Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for "further action" from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
However, a Labour spokesman said that the party would not comment on the actions of Councillor Young, other than pointing out he had apologised, sparking allegations of hypocrisy from the SNP.
Mr McDonald has written to the Labour leader of Aberdeen Council, Jenny Laing, calling on her to take "appropriate action".
He wrote: "To imply that I have or would have used my son for political advantage is beyond contempt."
SNP MSP Kevin Stewart, a friend of Mr McDonald's, said: "This is breath-taking hypocrisy from Scottish Labour. Willie Young's tweet was offensive and deeply hurtful for Mark McDonald and his family.
"All we have had from Labour is a disgraceful attempt to wash their hands of the matter. That is simply not good enough. When these matters arise, political parties should ensure they are acted on quickly - as the SNP has previously done."
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