Sarwar apologises for stroke quip at press conference

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

Sarwar made the comment at the end of a press conference that was being broadcast online.

Speaking to a photographer, he said she had pictured him previously in a "stroke pose", adding: "I looked like I had a stroke".

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) described the remarks as "deeply disappointing".

A spokesperson said: "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."

They added that more than 11,000 people in Scotland have a stroke each year.

The latest Public Health Scotland figures show there were 3,650 deaths in 2024 where cerebrovascular disease, including stroke, was the underlying cause.

CHSS said survivors often had to go through difficult rehabilitation processes, with thousands of families affected.

The spokesperson added that "to diminish that experience" displayed "a worrying lack of understanding of what stroke truly means".

CHSS called for a meeting with Sarwar "to ensure comments like today's are never repeated."

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

It is understood that the MSP is open to a meeting with CHSS.