Labour spokesman for Scotland David Anderson says sorry for bomb ‘joke’ at Burns Supper

JEREMY CORBYN’S spokesman for Scotland has apologised after making a joke about bombs in Northern Ireland at a Labour Party fundraiser.

David Anderson, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland, said sorry after being accused of making “insensitive” remarks at a Burns Supper held in Newcastle.

During his speech he told guests he once mixed up a CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) representative with Mitchel McLaughlin, the one-time General Secretary of Sinn Fein.

He was then heard to quip that, once his mistake was pointed out, he said he “knew it was something about bombs”.

A guest who was at the event, held in Newcastle’s plush Copthorne Hotel, said Mr Anderson’s comments were “not appropriate” given his political position.

“A lot of people were stony-faced after what he said,” they said. “His joke did not go down well.

“It was, at best, insensitive for anyone to say what he said but completely unacceptable for someone of his position.”

Another guest said: “Dave really should know better than to joke about these things. A lot of people just groaned but some were really offended.”

The incident came after a snap election was called for the Northern Ireland Assembly following Martin McGuinness’s decision to resign as Deputy First Minister.

The Sinn Fein politician stepped down after allegations that a green energy scheme championed by DUP leader and then-First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, had overspent by £400m.

Last night, a Scottish Conservatives spokesman said Mr Anderson should have chosen his words more carefully.

He said: “Considering his role and responsibilities for Northern Ireland, Dave Anderson should be more careful with his remarks in future.”

The fundraising event was attended by dozens of guests, and Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale was advertised as one of the speakers.

It also comes after opposition leader Mr Corbyn was criticised for hiring Jayne Fisher, the former head of Sinn Fein’s London office.

A spokesman for Mr Anderson said the story related to the Gateshead MP’s time as a union representative in the 1990s.

He said: “While regaling guests with stories from the past, Dave told a self-deprecating true story about a mix-up that occurred two decades ago, involving the then-chairperson of Sinn Fein, which was taken in very good humour by all involved when it occurred in the 1990s.

“He apologises if anyone was upset after hearing this story, which he has told on countless occasions over the years.

“He did not make light of the situation in Northern Ireland, and any suggestion that he did is deeply offensive to him and a complete misinterpretation of this story.

“Dave has been committed to Northern Ireland’s peace process for decades, has worked tirelessly with all political parties to promote peace, and takes his role very seriously indeed.”