A newly-elected Labour MSP was disciplined in a previous post after verbally abusing and intimidating a colleague from an ethnic minority, the Sunday Herald can reveal.
Anne McTaggart was moved to another job and attended an anti-racism course after her employer upheld a raft of complaints against her.
A spokesman for Scottish Labour said the party would be asking “a number of questions” about the revelations.
McTaggart, 41, was elected as a Glasgow List MSP at last month’s Holyrood election. An ally of Steven Purcell, the disgraced former city council leader, she is also a councillor for the Drumchapel and Anniesland ward.
Before being elected as a local representative in 2009, she was employed by Glasgow City Council.
However, McTaggart’s employment as a community support worker was marred by controversy.
An investigation has revealed two colleagues made a total of four separate complaints against her in 2006. Three of the four, this newspaper has learned, were upheld.
One complaint centred on claims McTaggart made a threatening remark about a co-worker. Another complaint focused on accusations she intimidated another colleague.
The final investigation related to allegations McTaggart referred to the same employee, who is from an ethnic minority, in disparaging terms.
Following a disciplinary hearing, McTaggart received a warning and was relocated to another part of the city. She was also suspended for a short period and attended equalities training.
A source close to the MSP said the course was also attended by other colleagues.
The source added McTaggart denied that the inappropriate language included describing her former council colleague as “the bomber”.
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