The SNP has called for Anas Sarwar to launch an immediate investigation into the Scottish Labour Party’s links to Peter Mandelson and twice convicted paedophile Sean Morton, and to publish all correspondence and documentation relating to those connections.
The call follows the publication of a dossier by Scottish National Party outlining what it describes as a pattern of contact and decision making involving senior Scottish Labour figures.
According to the dossier, Sarwar publicly promoted his close friendship with Mandelson in a social media post on 4th of April 2025, despite Mandelson’s continued association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein being a matter of public record for several years.
The SNP also claims Sarwar has refused to remove the Labour Party whip from Pam Duncan Glancy MSP despite her acknowledged dinner parties and sustained contact with Sean Morton, and her failure to clarify whether that relationship continues.
It is further claimed that Scottish Labour’s General Secretary was aware of links between Morton and senior party figures by early December 2025 or earlier, but has not confirmed when Sarwar himself became aware.
The dossier states that Scottish Labour MPs Gregor Poynton and Imogen Walker hosted Mandelson at a constituency fundraiser despite his relationship with Epstein already being widely known.
A separate whistleblower allegation included in the dossier claims Mandelson was directly involved in selecting Labour candidates ahead of the 2024 general election, including access to internal spreadsheets and decisions over who should or should not stand.
The whistleblower said: “This wasn’t a macro oversight thing, he was very involved in all the details; I think he enjoyed it.”
They added: “He was involved in all the personalities and the mechanics including asking the question of who do we want in which seat and where should they stand.”
Commenting on the claims, SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said:
“Anas Sarwar must launch an immediate investigation into the Scottish Labour Party’s close links to his ‘old friend’ Peter Mandelson and the twice-convicted paedophile Sean Morton.
“There is clear evidence that Mr Sarwar, and his Scottish Labour Party MPs, maintained their friendship with Mandelson despite his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein being a matter of public record for many years.
“There is also evidence to suggest that senior Scottish Labour Party figures knew about the close links between their MSPs and MPs to Mandelson and Morton for many months but failed to take appropriate action.
“Ahead of the Holyrood elections in May, voters have a right to know how deep the connections between Mandelson, Morton, and the Scottish Labour Party run. If Sarwar has nothing to hide, he will want to ensure maximum transparency.
“Sarwar must publish the Scottish Labour Party files on Mandelson and Morton, including his own personal communications and all party correspondence and documentation relating to them.
“Even now, Anas Sarwar is still refusing to remove the Labour Party whip from Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, despite her close friendship with Morton.
“Mr Sarwar hasn’t said whether Duncan-Glancy is continuing her friendship with Morton to this day, or why he thinks it’s acceptable for a serving Scottish Labour Party MSP to consort with a convicted paedophile and retain their Labour Party membership.
“More damaging information is dripping out by the day, including whistleblower claims about Peter Mandelson’s role choosing Labour Party candidates at the last election.
“Mr Sarwar has not said what contact he had with Mandelson ahead of the election, or whether Mandelson played any role in discussing, reviewing or choosing Scottish Labour Party candidates.
“There must be no Scottish Labour Party cover-up.
“Anas Sarwar has shown appalling judgement in cosying up to Mandelson, and failing to take action on Morton, and he must now come clean about exactly what he knew and why he is still refusing to act.”
