FORMER shadow chancellor John McDonnell has expressed his anger at moves to undermine the Scottish Labour leadership. 

The Hayes and Harlington MP told Labour members and supporters at a “Rally for Socialism” on Monday of his anger at moves to disrupt efforts in Scotland. 

The event, organised by the Campaign for Socialism, saw a number of trade unionists and Labour activists gather to show their support for the party’s left-wing leadership ahead of the 2021 Holyrood elections. 

Last week a group of MSPs spoke out against Scottish leader Richard Leonard, claiming that they had lost confidence in him. 

Mr Leonard hit back, warning those who were undermining the party may not be “the best people to stand for the Labour Party in the elections next year.”

Those on the left have come out in support of the leadership, with MSP Neil Findlay, former MP Katy Clark, as well as representatives from Scottish Young Labour, Unison, the CWU and Unite speaking out on Monday night.

The ex-shadow chancellor has expressed his confidence in the Scottish Labour leadership, emphasising Mr Leonard’s experience and knowledge of socialist politics, and the worth of this to the party itself. 

Mr McDonnell praised the challenging of the SNP government on education and social care, describing the “personal attacks” against the Scottish Labour leader as “appalling.”

He added: “People seem to forget the commitment he has shown, to every industrial dispute, every progressive campaign. 

“We’re on the edge of possibly the worst recession since the 1930s, and what do these individuals do?

“They just think about their own careers and their own jobs. It is unacceptable.”