SCOTTISH Labour have denied that Anas Sarwar gave a ringing endorsement of the law firm which got him off on a driving charge – despite a quote in his name on their website.
In 2013 while an MP at Westminster, Sarwar was found not proven on a charge of using his phone while driving due to insufficient evidence. He was represented by Michael Lyon.
Lyon’s firm now specialises in road traffic law and its website features purported testimonials from football stars such as Kemar Roofe, Scott Brown, and Robert Snodgrass.
As recently as Monday evening, it also featured Sarwar, with a quote saying: “I was found not guilty of using a mobile phone thanks to Michael Lyon Solicitors!”
It appears to have been taken off the site after the endorsement was spotted and shared on social media by SNP MSP Kevin Stewart.
“Quite unusual for political leaders to advertise lawyers," Stewart wrote on social media.
"Maybe he was very grateful to escape the charge.”
Asked about the endorsement, a Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “The quote was totally made up. Probably why it was taken down when people noticed.”
Quite unusual for political leaders to advertise lawyers. Maybe he was very grateful to escape the charge.https://t.co/xIYAAHdB94 pic.twitter.com/nOFJ0Cn8NE
— Kevin Stewart SNP (@KevinStewartSNP) August 4, 2025
Lyon was approached for comment.
Sarwar had been alleged to have been holding a phone up to his ear while driving along Scotland Street in Glasgow on January 17, 2013, The Herald reported at the time.
PC Elaine Turner, who was in a police van with two colleagues, told Glasgow's Justice of the Peace Court she spotted Sarwar, then deputy leader of Scottish Labour, driving while on the phone and he then pulled into a lay by.
Sarwar denied the allegation, contending that his phone rang and he pulled into a lay by to answer it.
John Lawless ruled that there was an "insufficiency of corroborative evidence" and returned a not proven verdict.
