The new Labour leader in Scotland has admitted he supports England in football matches between the countries.
Richard Leonard, a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn who was born in Yorkshire, was named as the party’ s new leader north of the border over the weekend.
But questions were raised about the 54-year-old’s appeal to the wider Scottish public when he was grilled on his sports allegiances.
Richard Leonard, a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn who was born in Yorkshire, was named as the Labour’s new leader north of the border over the weekend
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, the former trade union activist was asked whether as the first English-born leader of Scottish Labour which team he supported when they played each other in sports.
After a pause, Mr Leonard replied: ‘Well, if it’s England versus Scotland, I do support England. Every other game I will support either Scotland or England.’
‘I’m not going to try and make up something which would be inaccurate. That’s the honest truth and my wife, who is Scottish, she would bear that out. We watch football together.’
The central Scotland MSP won the leadership against moderate MSP Anas Sarwar – who was born in Scotland – on Saturday.
The contest was sparked by the resignation of Kezia Dugdale, who has now gone to Australia to take part in I’m A Celebrity… on ITV.
Tory leader Ruth Davidson praised Mr Leonard for answering the question, but highlighted that she supported Scotland – because she was Scottish.
On Twitter she wrote: ‘Fair play to him for not ducking this one.’
Asked who she backed in matches between the two, she replied: ‘Scotland. Y’know, because I’m Scottish.
Mr Leonard also came under fire for attending private school, but he said nobody should be criticised for where they were born or went to school.
In the interview, he also said he didn’t have a favourite reality TV show, saying ‘my life’s too short’.
He has suggested Miss Dugdale should be suspended for abandoning her MSP duties to take part in the show.
Mr Leonard said he had never seen the show adding: ‘I do think there are opportunities when politicians need to reach out beyond the immediate political circle but I am not persuaded that this is necessarily a case in point.’
Mr Leonard admitted he supported England in football matches against Scotland – such as this one at Wembley in 2013
The close affiliation Mr Leonard (pictured left) has with Mr Corbyn (right) is thought to have been crucial in his victory over Anas Sarwar