A shamed former sheriff who admitted paying for sex at a sauna is now campaigning for Scottish Labour.
Hugh Neilson, who was also struck off as a solicitor for “serious and reprehensible” conduct, attended a rally for party leadership hopeful Anas Sarwar.
He said: “I’ve rejoined and I’ve been pretty active for the last couple of years.”
Glasgow MSP Sarwar is going head-to-head with Holyrood colleague Monica Lennon for the Scottish Labour vacancy.
He was first out of the traps and has put together a slick digital campaign.
After a campaign rally for supporters, he tweeted: “Huge thanks to everyone who came along for the campaign rally & phone bank this afternoon! Loved the energy!”
His tweet included pictures of people who had logged on, including Neilson, who has been embroiled in various scandals during a chequered career.
In 2004, he was suspended as a sheriff after getting caught in a Glasgow sauna during a police raid. He claimed to have been there for a shave.
Judges launched a “fitness for office” investigation but he quit his post during the probe.
The Sunday Mail later obtained a statement he gave to police about other sauna visits which said: “I have been there three times… no, four. I had been seeking a massage and some female company.” He added: “I had sexual intercourse with her. I paid for it.”
The rally last month involved speeches by Sarwar and his supporters, followed by advice on phone banking.
Neilson told us: “I am certainly backing Anas because he is the best of the two candidates. I think Anas has got the profile, he’s got a lot of experience, he’s also got a vision for uniting Scottish Labour.”
The news that Neilson is trying to get involved in Sarwar’s campaign is further embarrassment for the leadership hopeful after the Sunday Mail last month revealed that he had previously received a £4000 donation from a company ran by convicted paedophile Ali Najafian to fund his successful campaign to be party deputy in 2011.
Najafian admitted a catalogue of sickening sex offences against young girls when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court in 1992.
Sarwar admitted meeting Najafian at party events and knowing his nephew but insists he was unaware of his convictions.
Asked about Neilson, a spokesman for Sarwar said: “This event was open to all Labour Party members. This individual is not a member of our campaign team and has not, and will not, be making calls for this campaign.”
Neilson, who went back to practising as a solicitor after his sauna shame, was banned from the road in 2014 for drink driving.
Two years ago, he was struck off the solicitors’ roll after a number of complaints by clients. The Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal stated: “This was a catalogue of serious and reprehensible behaviour. The respondent acted dishonestly and is no longer fit to be a solicitor.”
