Anas Sarwar’s appointment to the House of Lords has deepened divisions within Labour, with reports of growing unrest among Scottish Labour MPs and fresh attacks from the SNP over the former Scottish Labour leader’s elevation to Westminster.

The appointment, made by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, comes after Sarwar led Scottish Labour to its worst ever Scottish Parliament election result before stepping down as leader, while Douglas Alexander was reappointed as Secretary of State for Scotland.

According to reports published by the Huffington Post, frustration has surfaced within Labour’s own ranks, with one Scottish Labour MP claiming Sarwar and Alexander had “failed upwards” and alleging that “Scottish members are furious and feel Anas and Douglas Alexander have engineered this for a long time.”

The reports have prompted the SNP to question whether discussions about future government roles had taken place long before the Scottish Parliament election, pointing to Sarwar’s public call earlier this year for Keir Starmer to resign amid speculation over Labour’s future leadership.

Commenting, SNP MSP Laura Mitchell said:

“Civil war is raging amongst Labour MPs from Scotland and it’s hard not to blame them, this whole thing reeks of a long planned scheme.

“Sarwar and Alexander led Scottish Labour to an historic defeat yet end up with cushy government jobs, was Sarwar’s call for Starmer to resign a quid pro quo with Burnham?

“Andy Burnham should now come clean with the public and tell us when he first met with Sarwar and Alexander to plan their careers post-Starmer.

“Andy Burnham talked the talk about new politics for months then dished out a Peerage to Anas Sarwar in an all too familiar Westminster establishment move, it’s no wonder more and more people are concluding we need a fresh start with independence.”

The House of Lords appointment has also reignited criticism of the unelected chamber, with the SNP arguing the move undermines Labour’s previous commitments on constitutional reform.

Commenting on the appointment, SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown MSP said:

“This is a terrible look for Andy Burnham who waxed lyrical about a new politics and devolving power, he’s just pulled the most undemocratic trick in the Westminster book.

“Anas Sarwar led Scottish Labour to their worst ever election defeat, but as is always the case with the Labour Party, there’s always a cushty number in the House of Lords.

“What a signal to send after their democractic defeat, this is the Labour Party literally lording it over the people of Scotland.

“Andy Burnham denied Scottish democracy in a phone call with Scotland’s First Minister, now he appoints a failed Scottish Labour leader to the Lords.

“This new Labour Government has deeply damaged its democratic credibility.

“Andy Burnham raised the question of where power lies on these islands, it’s clear the Labour Party are still stubbornly determined to keep it firmly in the grip of a detached and undemocratic Westminster establishment.”

The SNP has also called on Sarwar to donate any salary he receives as a member of the House of Lords to charity, arguing he had previously ruled out accepting a peerage.

Commenting, SNP MSP George Adam said:

“Anas Sarwar promised he would never enter the House of Lords so it’s only right he donates his bumper salary to charity.

“It’s hardly like Anas Sarwar is shy of cash so it’s only fair he does the right thing given his broken promise to the Scottish public.

“The Labour Party and Anas Sarwar repeatedly denied and lied to the people of Scotland about Anas Sarwar’s intentions, the fact he will now be prancing about in ermine robes won’t be forgotten.

“Andy Burnham promised a new kind of politics, but he has kicked off by furnishing the undemocratic House of Lords with its latest member, the failed leader of the Scottish Labour Party.

“It’s the same old Westminster establishment playing the same old tricks, Scotland can escape this nonsense and build a wealthier, fairer, Scotland anew through a fresh start with independence.

“Anas Sarwar symbolises the broken politics of Brexit Britain, a rich boy skimming off the public purse after a failed career.”