Sheridan 'apologises' for witches jibe

Sunday Herald, The, Feb 6, 2005 by Paul Hutcheon Scottish Political Editor

THE forced resignation of Tommy Sheridan continued to overshadow the SSP leadership contest after one of his colleagues said he had apologised for calling her a "witch".

Rosie Kane, MSP for Glasgow, made the revelation in response to suggestions that she and two others had problems with the axed leader that they were refusing to resolve.

In an interview with the Sunday Herald last week, leadership contender Colin Fox MSP said Kane and fellow parliamentarians Frances Curran and Carolyn Leckie should "get over" any issues they had with Sheridan.

His remarks came in the middle of his contest with policy co- ordinator Alan McCombes to replace Sheridan, who was asked to step down in November because of the way he was dealing with allegations about his private life.

But Kane hit back at Fox, whose leadership bid is supported by Sheridan, by saying that the Lothians MSP had never discussed any issues she might have with Sheridan.

She added that the former leader made comments about the trio following his resignation that he later regretted.

"In the initial stages of this Tommy said a few things that he has since apologised for, about me, Carolyn and Frances being like witches, but I am sure there will be no continuation of that attitude, " she said.

The comments are the latest episode in an ongoing rift between the SSP's most recognisable politician and his female colleagues at Holyrood.

In the aftermath of Sheridan's resignation, the three MSPs were furious when some people suggested that they had helped bring down their talisman.

Instead, the party's national executive had voted unanimously on November 9 last year for the Glasgow MSP to vacate the leadership.

In another twist, Curran has taken exception to Colin Fox's view, expressed in the Sunday Herald last week, that Sheridan should have been treated more "respectfully".

Inan obvious dig at the fallen leader, she said: "Respect should not automatically come from holding office. Respect has to be earned."

Sheridan's problems escalated further last Tuesday when he was taken to task by colleagues over comments he made on penalties for knife crime.

The former leader wrote a letter to justice minister Cathy Jamieson two weeks ago urging her to consider mandatory sentences for carrying blades, despite the idea being contrary to party policy.

MSPs were angry that Sheridan was backing a policy that one source said was "ill-thought-out". The matter was raised at the latest meeting of SSP MSPs, where Sheridan was reminded that zero tolerance to knife crime was not official policy.

Sheridan's initiative was also criticised in the Scottish Socialist Voice, the SSP's campaigning newspaper overseen by McCombes.

Fox's leadership rival said that he did not share the Glasgow MSP's view on how to deal with Scotland's blade culture.

"I personally disagree with his views, and I don't believe the party as a whole would support his views, " he said.

Sheridan was unavailable for comment last night.

Splits within the group threaten to distract the SSP from its party conference in Perth this weekend, where members will elect their new leader. The structure of leadership will also be discussed, with some branches backing plans to elect two leaders instead of one.

paul. hutcheon@sundayherald. com