Scottish Labour Under Fire Over Candidate’s Ties to Scandal-hit Firm

Labour is under scrutiny for not disclosing that Davy Russell, its candidate in the upcoming Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse byelection, previously worked with a company involved in a major data falsification controversy.

The party did not inform voters that Russell had worked as a part-time consultant for a Mears Group subsidiary operating in nearby North Lanarkshire. Mears Scotland LLP was at the centre of allegations last year that it had falsified over 13,000 maintenance records, triggering a delay in the council's decision to award the company a £1.8bn contract to manage housing repairs and maintenance across the area.

This omission has raised questions about Labour’s transparency, particularly as Russell’s campaign biography omits any mention of his consultancy role. Instead, it highlights his charitable work and ceremonial duties, describing him as someone who supports people with disabilities and helps run a hospice, as well as serving as deputy lord lieutenant for South Lanarkshire.

Russell, a former senior Glasgow city council official, reportedly informed Scottish Labour of his consultancy role in his candidate application. Labour officials confirmed he worked two days a week for the firm from the beginning of 2025 until his selection in April, but this detail has not appeared in any public campaign material.

Critics within the party have accused Labour of deliberately hiding the information, with one source calling it “outrageous” and urging the party to be honest about its candidates.

Scottish Labour did not directly explain the omission but stated that Russell used his extensive experience in local government to support work in North Lanarkshire and would bring that knowledge to serve the byelection constituency.

The byelection was triggered by the sudden death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie. Scottish Labour is reportedly anxious about its prospects, fearing a third-place finish behind Reform UK—a result that would signal a major blow to the party’s recent electoral momentum, including a landslide win in the neighbouring Westminster seat last year.

Adding to the controversy, Mears has long-standing ties to councils in the region and holds Home Office contracts to house asylum seekers. The company faced criticism in 2020 for relocating hundreds of asylum seekers to substandard hotel accommodation in Glasgow, where a tragic knife attack occurred later that year.

Labour canvassers are reportedly alarmed by growing support for Reform UK and widespread voter dissatisfaction, particularly around cost-of-living issues and decisions by party leader Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves—such as changes to winter fuel payments.

Labour leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, acknowledged the challenge during a campaign stop in Larkhall, saying the party must engage seriously with disillusioned voters considering Reform. He emphasised that many such voters are not ignorant or bigoted but feel neglected by the political system.

Meanwhile, Davy Russell confirmed he would not participate in a televised candidates' debate on STV, with insiders citing concerns over his media performance skills.