Scottish Labour is facing growing scrutiny over transparency concerns after it emerged that its by-election candidate, Davy Russell, worked for a company previously embroiled in a data falsification scandal—an association not mentioned in official campaign materials.
Russell is standing for election in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, triggered by the sudden death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie in March. However, campaign literature makes no reference to his recent consultancy role with Mears Group, a major housing and maintenance firm previously accused of falsifying over 13,000 maintenance records.
The omission has prompted accusations that Labour is deliberately withholding key information from voters, especially as Mears Scotland LLP—Russell’s employer until April—is the subject of a significant scandal. A whistleblower alerted North Lanarkshire Council to the alleged falsification, prompting the local authority to delay signing a £1.8 billion contract with the firm.
Russell, who previously held a senior position at Glasgow City Council, declared his part-time consultancy work for Mears when applying to be Labour’s candidate. However, Scottish Labour’s campaign site instead highlights his charity work with people with disabilities, a local hospice, and his role as deputy lord lieutenant for South Lanarkshire.
An SNP spokesperson commented that the revelation would certainly raise eyebrows in the constituency, urging Labour to be transparent with voters.
Criticism has also come from within Labour ranks. One party source told *The Guardian* that candidate vetting and messaging were tightly controlled, calling it “outrageous” that the Mears connection was omitted.
Scottish Labour has not explained the omission but defended Russell’s experience. A spokesperson said he used his knowledge in local government to support work in North Lanarkshire before standing for office and that his experience would benefit the local community if elected.
Mears Group, one of the UK’s largest social housing contractors, operates widely across Scotland. In addition to its North Lanarkshire dealings, it holds Home Office contracts for housing asylum seekers. In 2020, the firm faced criticism after relocating over 300 asylum seekers into hotels in Glasgow, where conditions were later condemned. A violent incident in one of those hotels, where six people were stabbed, further intensified scrutiny.
Labour now faces the risk of slipping to third place behind Reform UK in the by-election—a dramatic reversal after securing a landslide in nearby Rutherglen and Hamilton West in October 2023. Internal canvassing reports suggest voter frustration over Labour’s national policies, particularly on winter fuel payments, is benefitting Reform.
Earlier this month, Reform UK beat Labour to second place in a Clydebank council by-election, where the SNP held on to the seat.
Speaking in Larkhall on Wednesday, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar acknowledged voter disillusionment. He stressed that many people drawn to Reform were not extremists but were simply fed up and felt ignored by mainstream politics.
Further controversy has emerged with Russell confirming he will not participate in an STV televised debate featuring other candidates, reportedly due to concerns about his media performance.
With the by-election fast approaching, pressure is mounting on Scottish Labour to address concerns about transparency and candidate selection—particularly as voters scrutinise the party’s messaging and record.
