Sarwar: Scottish Labour takes ‘swift action’ on MSP behaviour issues

Anas Sarwar has said his party takes “swift action” when issues with MSPs’ behaviour arise, though he said he could not provide any details on the nature of the investigation into an MSP who was suspended in recent days.

Foysol Choudhury was suspended by Scottish Labour pending the outcome of an investigation, though the claims and type of claims made about his conduct have not been revealed.

He became the second Scottish labour MSP to be suspended in less than two months.

Colin Smyth was earlier arrested and charged in connection with alleged possession of indecent images.

The Scottish Labour leader was asked bout Mr Choudhury’s suspension as he spoke to the Good Morning Scotland radio programme, saying he could not compromise the “independent process” around the investigation.

Pressed on whether he knows what the allegation is, Mr Sarwar said: “I’m sharing with you exactly what I do know, the reason why it’s right that I don’t know, and it’s right that I know at the appropriate time.

“There could be safeguarding issues and people who do not want to have their identity revealed and there could be issues of confidentiality.”

He was asked if his party had a “problem” with the behaviour of some of its MSPs.

He denied this was the case, saying: “When issues come up, we take swift action.

“When we became aware of the nature of the investigation against Colin Smyth, we suspended him immediately. Now he sits as an independent MSP.

“Now that we have had complaints come in about Foysol Choudhury and they merit an investigation, we’ve moved swiftly, the same day to suspend him and he now sits as an independent MSP.

“We take swift action when it’s appropriate.”