A Scottish Labour MP has been blasted for missing a debate on the Scottish economy for a golf meeting. Brian Leishman missed the Westminster Hall debate on October 15 because he was being elected chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Golf. The Alloa and Grangemouth MP had been urging the UK Government to take over the oil refinery in his constituency which is set to close later this year. A Scottish Labour source said: " Brian's strategy of slagging off his colleagues at every opportunity has certainly raised a few eyebrows. "Golfing might not be a team sport, but politics is. "More time spent driving growth and less on the driving range might be a good place to start." Leishman - who is a former professional golfer - said that "politics isn't a sport" and "that’s the mentality that turns off and alienates the electorate." He said: "With multiple golf courses in my constituency and thousands of golfers resident in Alloa and Grangemouth along with my background as a golf professional, I’m delighted to be the chair of the APPG Golf as it plays an important part in the local and national economy, as well as the mental and physical health benefits the sport brings. "As for politics being described as a 'team sport' then I’m afraid that’s the mentality that turns off and alienates the electorate. "Politics isn’t a sport, politics is about positively changing people’s lives and making the country a fairer and more equal place." Leishman has been the most vocal critic of the UK Government out of the Scottish Labour MPs. He has blasted his party for not compensating the Waspi women and had labelled the £5bn welfare cuts "austerity". Leishman was the only Scottish Labour MP to vote in the Commons to compensate the Waspi women. He also signed the bill despite it being an SNP amendment. During the Westminster Hall debate on the Scottish economy , Labour's Glasgow East MP John Grady claimed work was underway to create a separate Scottish immigration visa. But he was slapped down by the Home Office which insisted a separate Scottish visa is not government policy or being considered. To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here