QUESTIONS are “mounting” for Anas Sarwar after he refused to confirm any details over the suspension of one of his MSPs, the SNP have said.
On Saturday, it emerged that Foysol Choudhury, the Lothian region MSP, had been administratively suspended from Labour pending the outcome of an investigation.
Choudhury is now listed as an independent MSP on the Scottish Parliament website, with Sarwar confirming this during a broadcast interview, though refusing to release any further details on the suspension.
Choudhury is the second Scottish Labour MSP to be suspended in the last two months, after Colin Smyth was charged with possession of indecent images and voyeurism.
A Scottish Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously.
“They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”
The SNP called for Sarwar to “urgently come clean” on the reasons for Choudhury had been suspended after the news emerged.
Asked about the suspension on the BBC Sunday Show, Sarwar said: “I’ve got to say some of the language from the SNP I find deeply concerning, because I don't think they understand independent complaint procedures and also safeguarding issues.
“We have an independent complaints procedure.
“Complaints go to that independent body.
“That independent body believes that there is enough there to investigate, and therefore we have suspended Foysul Choudhury while that investigation takes place, and he will sit as an independent MSP.”
Asked how long the investigation would take: “That's a matter for the independent body.”
Following Sarwar’s BBC interview, SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said: "Questions are mounting for Anas Sarwar over why he is refusing to confirm any details at all over the shock suspension of yet another Labour Party MSP, following the suspension of Colin Smyth last month.
"No one is asking for full disclosure of every detail involving Foysol Choudhury but voters have a right to know the basics of why two Labour Party MSP have now been suspended in quick succession over the space of a month.
"After the recent Labour Party scandals involving Peter Mandelson, Morgan McSweeny and Angela Rayner voters expect transparency - not more cover ups.
“This is becoming a question of integrity for Anas Sarwar, and he must be honest with voters."
Choudhury was voted into the Scottish parliament from the regional list in the 2021 elections.
He was the first Scottish Bangladeshi elected to Holyrood.
