Anas Sarwar apologises over 'deeply disappointing' stroke comments

Anas Sarwar has apologised after joking that he looked as if he had suffered a stroke.

The Scottish Labour leader made the comment following a press conference which was being broadcast online.

While speaking to a photographer, he was heard saying that in a previous picture she had taken of him, he “looked like he had a stroke” and she had captured him in a “stroke pose”.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) described the comments as “deeply disappointing”.

“Stroke is not a punchline or a ‘pose’. It is a life-threatening medical emergency that has lasting physical, emotional and social impact on individuals and the people who care about them”, a spokesperson for the charity said.

Over 11,000 people in Scotland suffer a stroke every year, with the condition one of the leading causes of disability in the country.

The charity called for a meeting with Sarwar to “ensure comments like today’s are never repeated”.

The spokesperson added: “To diminish that experience, especially from someone who has just called for major healthcare reform, which for stroke is badly needed, shows a worrying lack of understanding of what stroke truly means.

“People affected by stroke deserve better. Their experiences should be recognised with sensitivity, respect and accuracy.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Labour leader said: “Anas Sarwar wants to offer an unreserved apology for today’s comments.”

It is understood that he is open to meeting with the charity to discuss the issues raised.