Scottish Labour Suspends MSP Over Ties to Sex Offender Sean Morton

In a dramatic escalation of a brewing political scandal, Scottish Labour has suspended Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Pam Duncan-Glancy, removing her party whip while investigating her longstanding friendship with Sean Morton, a convicted sex offender. The move, announced on February 10, 2026, comes just hours after similar action against Lord Matthew Doyle, a newly appointed peer with ties to the same individual. This double blow highlights deepening fissures within the Labour Party as it grapples with allegations of poor judgment in associating with Morton, who has faced multiple convictions for serious sexual offenses involving children.

Who is Sean Morton? A Troubled Political Figure

Sean Morton, a former Labour councillor from Moray, Scotland, has become the unlikely epicenter of this controversy. Elected as a local representative, Morton's political career unraveled following his 2017 conviction for possessing indecent images of children. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison that year, marking the end of his formal ties to the Labour Party. Undeterred, Morton attempted a political comeback in 2017 as an independent candidate, even receiving support from high-profile Labour figures at the time.

But Morton's legal troubles didn't end there. In January 2025, he was jailed again for further offenses related to child exploitation material, drawing renewed scrutiny to anyone who maintained contact with him post-conviction. Reports from the Daily Record reveal that Morton and Duncan-Glancy, who met as high school friends over 30 years ago, continued their relationship even after his imprisonments. Shockingly, Morton reportedly attended Duncan-Glancy's birthday celebration late last year, raising serious questions about boundaries and judgment in political circles.

Morton's Path from Councillor to Convict

Born and raised in Scotland, Morton's entry into politics seemed promising. As a Moray councillor, he focused on local issues, aligning with Labour's community-oriented ethos. However, his 2017 arrest—while still charged but not convicted—didn't immediately deter support. Campaigning for him during that election period, Morton pleaded not guilty initially, only to change his plea later. This sequence of events has fueled debates about when political loyalty should end and accountability begin.

By 2025, Morton's second conviction solidified his status as a pariah within mainstream politics. Yet, his personal connections lingered, ensnaring figures like Duncan-Glancy and Doyle in a web of association that Labour can no longer ignore.

Pam Duncan-Glancy's Suspension: A Timeline of Events

Pam Duncan-Glancy, who has served as an MSP for Glasgow since 2021, was thrust into the spotlight in December 2025 when she stepped down as Scottish Labour's education spokesperson. The resignation followed public revelations about her friendship with Morton. In a candid admission, Duncan-Glancy described her decision to maintain contact as a "serious error of personal judgement." She had been slated as Labour's candidate for the upcoming Holyrood elections in May 2026 but announced she would not seek re-election, citing the need to focus on the investigation.

The suspension of her parliamentary whip on February 10 means Duncan-Glancy can no longer vote with the Labour group or represent the party officially in Holyrood. A Scottish Labour spokesperson emphasized that "all complaints are assessed thoroughly in line with our rules and procedures," underscoring the party's commitment to due process. This action allows her to remain an independent MSP until May, when she plans to exit politics altogether.

Political Pressure on Leader Anas Sarwar

The timing of Duncan-Glancy's suspension couldn't be more precarious for Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Facing relentless questions from journalists and opposition parties like the SNP, Sarwar has been pressed on why Duncan-Glancy retained the whip for so long after the scandal broke. Critics argue that her presence, even briefly, undermined Labour's moral authority, especially amid broader challenges like calls for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation over unrelated issues.

Sarwar's defense—that Duncan-Glancy was only in post for "a matter of weeks" post-announcement—has been dismissed as inadequate. With the SNP hammering the point in Holyrood debates, the suspension is seen as a belated but necessary step to "lance the boil," as one political analyst put it. It also raises questions about internal delays: Why did it take months for action, and what does this say about Labour's vetting processes?

The Lord Doyle Connection: A UK-Wide Labour Crisis

The scandal extends beyond Scotland, implicating Lord Matthew Doyle, a Labour veteran and former director of communications under Keir Starmer. Appointed to the House of Lords just weeks ago, Doyle's whip was removed on the same day as Duncan-Glancy's suspension to facilitate an investigation into his links with Morton.

Doyle, who previously worked with Tony Blair, resigned from his government role in March 2025 after nine months. He admitted campaigning for Morton in 2017, explaining that Morton had "repeatedly asserted his innocence" at the time. "To have not ceased support ahead of a judicial conclusion was a clear error of judgement for which I apologise unreservedly," Doyle stated. Both cases are being handled under Labour's unified independent complaints procedures, highlighting the party's attempt to address the issue cohesively across UK operations.

Implications for Labour's Credibility

This dual suspension represents a significant embarrassment for Labour, already navigating turbulent waters in Scotland. With Holyrood elections looming, the party risks alienating voters wary of scandals involving child protection. Analysts suggest it could bolster the SNP's narrative of Labour incompetence, especially as Sarwar pushes to reclaim ground lost to nationalists.

Broader questions emerge about personal friendships in politics. In an era of heightened scrutiny over safeguarding, how should parties balance loyalty with public trust? Morton's case serves as a stark reminder: Associations with convicted offenders, no matter how longstanding, can torpedo careers and reputations overnight.

Looking Ahead: What Happens Next?

As investigations proceed, eyes will be on Holyrood tomorrow, where Sarwar faces inevitable grilling from the press and opposition. Will this purge restore faith in Scottish Labour, or does it expose deeper systemic issues? For Duncan-Glancy and Doyle, the outcomes could range from full exoneration to permanent exile from politics.

Sean Morton's shadow looms large, a cautionary tale of how personal histories can collide with public duty. As Labour reflects, the party must reinforce its procedures to prevent future lapses, ensuring that judgment errors don't define its future.

This story is developing, with more details expected as the probes unfold. Everythiiing.com will keep readers updated on this unfolding political drama.