THE leader of Scottish Labour says it is ‘nonsense’ to suggest there is a cultural issue within the party following the arrest of the former Inverclyde Council leader and a senior Glasgow councillor.

Stephen McCabe appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court last month charged with a domestic assault and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is due to stand trial in February.

Earlier this week, it emerged that councillor Philip Braat – former Lord Provost of Glasgow – was arrested and charged in connection with stalking offences in October.

READ MORE: Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe appears in court

He has been suspended from the party pending an investigation.

When asked whether these cases represented a cultural issue in Scottish Labour, party leader Anas Sarwar said: “I think that’s utterly nonsense.

“I think there will be individual cases that come across all individual political parties.

“But is this deeply unfortunate? Yes, but I’m not going to comment on live investigation.”