Scottish Labour has been accused of being "bankrolled" by a Labour thinktank which suggested people-smuggling gangs should be sent to Scotland.

Josh Simons, a former director of Labour Together and a current MP, said earlier this year: "I mean, why don’t you send the smuggler gangs and put them on the barge that has been set aside for the asylum seekers, and then ship the barge up to the north of Scotland, who cares?"

His comments were described as "stupid" and "flippant" by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

"My first reaction is: ‘Who?’" he said.

"Every party has elements on the fringes that give them moments of cringe. I think people that are making stupid, flippant comments like that are best ignored."

But it's since emerged that Scottish Labour has received nearly £60,000 from the thinktank in the last nine months.

A number of now-MPs also took donations in the run-up to the election, including Scottish secretary Ian Murray and energy minister Michael Shanks.

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy has called on Mr Sarwar to "come clean, given his previous comments".

He continued: “People will find it astounding that he was so dismissive and apparently ignorant of Labour Together, given they have bankrolled Scottish Labour to the tune of nearly £60,000 since last December."

"He might have claimed Labour Together were best ignored but the exact opposite appears to have been the case. Anas Sarwar cannot try and hide from this issue and hope it goes away. He must explain the true nature of his relationship with Labour Together because it appears to be remarkably close."

A Labour spokesman said: "All donations are declared in accordance with parliamentary and Electoral Commission rules."

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