A LABOUR chief today suggested details of the punishment for an MP who made racist and homophobic comments were none of the public’s business.

In a radio interview, shadow Scottish secretary Lesley Laird repeatedly refused to answer questions on Hugh Gaffney, who is being sent on “diversity training” after his offensive Burns supper speech.

2 She said the matter was 'closed' Credit: PA:Press Association

There have been claims the Coatbridge, Chryston and Belshill MP’s punishment could be a sham as he might already have completed similar a course while a Communications Workers Union rep, before being elected last year.

But Ms Laird said: “The matter is now closed. I won’t be adding anything further to it... These matters are considered, and should be considered, a confidential matter.”

SNP MSP Humza Yousaf said: “This extraordinary outburst from one of Jeremy Corbyn’s closest allies in Scotland typifies the high-handed arrogance with which Labour are trying to sweep racism and homophobia with their own ranks under the carpet.

“If Hugh Gaffney has already gone through diversity training, then going on another course is a completely unsuitable response to his racist and homophobic comments.

“Either Labour know the answer to that question and are refusing to say, or they don’t know and are refusing to ask. Neither of those scenarios are good enough.”

2 Gaffney joked Robert Burns wasn't 'bent' Credit: PA:Press Association

Ms Laird's comments came during a stroppy interview on BBC Radio Scotland.

Quizzed on Gaffney's "reprimand", she said: "The facts of the matter are known, the matter has been dealt with. And the matter is now closed. I won’t be adding anything further to it."

Asked by interviewer Gary Robertson about what a reprimand meant, Ms Laird said: "We’ve already acknowledged that Hugh will be attending diversity training."

She added: "I’m not going to get into discussing individual situations."

Pressed on why not, she said: "Because I confirmed last week that the matter is closed. And I think most people would recognise that from a disciplinary point of view… these matters are considered, and should be considered, a confidential matter."

Quizzed on why it should be confidential - with Gaffney being a publicly elected MP - she said: "Well, the matter of the event is known. The matter has been dealt with, and the matter is now closed."

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Asked if Jeremy Corbyn was involved in the decision, Ms Laird said: "Gary, I’m not going discuss any further beyond three points I’ve made to you already."

We told last week how Gaffney was branded "Bernard Manning-lite" after stunning a Labour Burns Night audience by joking the womanising Bard wasn't "bent".

The Corbyn ally also made a jibe about Chinese food, saying he should be home eating a "c****y".

SNP government Transport Minister Mr Yousaf said “When it comes to taking action on unacceptable behaviour within Labour, people could be forgiven for wondering if there is one rule for people who back Jeremy Corbyn, and one rule for everyone else. This is completely unacceptable.

“If Jeremy Corbyn wants to be taken seriously in Scotland he has to take action.

"At the very least, the whip should be withdrawn and Hugh Gaffney suspended from the party.”

Scottish Labour have been asked for comment.

chris.musson@the-sun.co.uk

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