SCOTTISH Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has refused to defend her deputy after he signed a parliamentary motion which praised Fidel Castro and ignored human rights abuses in Cuba.
Alex Rowley backed the motion “Sympathy and Solidarity with the People of Cuba, Hasta la victoria siempre” [Until victory, always], which urges Holyrood to send its condolences to Castro's family and the people of Cuba following his death last week aged 90.
It was tabled by Elaine Smith, the left wing Labour MSP for Central Scotland, and a former deputy presiding officer at Holyrood.
It was also supported by Labour MSPs Neil Findlay, Dave Stewart and Richard Leonard, and by the SNP’s Richard Lyle and Colin Beattie.
However it was criticised for omitting any mention of the abuses committed by the Castro regime, including summary executions and the imprisonment of gays and lesbians as people affected by a “deviation incompatible with the revolution” of 1959.
Instead, the motion referred to Castro as “an icon of socialism” who built world-class health and education systems “despite suffering economically for decades under a United States blockade”.
It called for the recognition of Castro as “a champion of global social justice” and said “his legacy and spirit will live on in the many great achievements of the small socialist state of Cuba, teaching and inspiring future generations and showing that another world is possible”.
Ms Dugdale’s office refused to defend Mr Rowley, and said she would not sign the motion.
Relations between leader and deputy are already under strain over his support for a more flexible approach to the constitution and maximum home rule for Scotland.
Tory equalities spokeswoman Annie Wells said: “It is appalling to see left-wing politicians, including the deputy leader of Scottish Labour, lionise a man who jailed and murdered his opponents and put gay people in concentration camps.
"If these crimes were carried out by a political leader on the right, Labour and SNP politicians would be first in the queue to condemn.
“Because it is Fidel Castro, they are happy to ignore the brutality of his regime. They should be ashamed of their total hypocrisy.”
Ms Smith said: “Cuba legalised same sex relationships before Scotland did, during Fidel Castro’s time in office, and has a vibrant LGBT rights campaign led by his niece, Mariel Castro.
"A dignified silence instead of an ignorant, ill-informed attack from the Tories would have been more fitting. But I do note that the Tory Government is sending a representative to the funeral to convey condolences on behalf of the UK."
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