Mike Russell has been accused of “compromising his position” as education secretary by becoming involved in a campaign to stop the closure of primary schools in Dunfermline.
Labour will today raise questions with Scotland’s top civil servant, Sir Peter Housden, about Mr Russell’s conduct after he posed for a photograph with literature branded “Save Our Schools”.
When responding to Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Annabelle Ewing, the frontbencher said it would be “inappropriate to comment” on Labour-led Fife Council’s closure plans as he could theoretically be called in to determine the outcome of an appeal.
Labour’s education spokeswoman Kez Dugdale accused Mr Russell of “playing politics with schoolchildren”.
The school closures have been a major focus in the campaign of Shirley-Anne Somerville, the SNP candidate in the forthcoming Dunfermline by-election.
A Labour spokesman confirmed to The Courier that the party intended to contact Sir Peter.
Ms Dugdale said: “Mike Russell has been caught playing politics with schoolchildren in Fife and in the process has compromised his position as an education secretary who could determine the future of these schools.
“It is utter hypocrisy from the SNP to campaign on school closures that they are forcing because of the cuts they are handing to Fife.”
A spokesman for the SNP labelled the attack “bizarre” and insisted Mr Russell was simply listening to parents’ concerns about the planned shutdowns.