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Scottish Labour MSP suspended over inappropriate conduct allegation Scottish Labour MSP suspended over inappropriate conduct allegation
(30 minutes later)
Foysol Choudhury, who represents Lothian, will sit as an independent while an investigation takes placeFoysol Choudhury, who represents Lothian, will sit as an independent while an investigation takes place
A Scottish Labour MSP has been suspended from the party over an allegation of inappropriate conduct.A Scottish Labour MSP has been suspended from the party over an allegation of inappropriate conduct.
Foysol Choudhury, who has served as an MSP for Lothian since 2021, will sit as an independent while the party carries out an investigation.Foysol Choudhury, who has served as an MSP for Lothian since 2021, will sit as an independent while the party carries out an investigation.
A Labour spokesperson said the party “takes all complaints seriously”. “They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken,” they added.A Labour spokesperson said the party “takes all complaints seriously”. “They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken,” they added.
It is understood that Choudhury was “administratively suspended” after the allegation.It is understood that Choudhury was “administratively suspended” after the allegation.
Last month the Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth was suspended, arrested and charged over the possession of indecent images. The week after Smyth’s suspension was announced, he was also charged over allegations a secret camera was placed in toilets inside the Scottish parliament – which he denies.Last month the Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth was suspended, arrested and charged over the possession of indecent images. The week after Smyth’s suspension was announced, he was also charged over allegations a secret camera was placed in toilets inside the Scottish parliament – which he denies.
The two MSPs’ suspensions are not believed to be linked. The Guardian has contacted Choudhury for a comment.The two MSPs’ suspensions are not believed to be linked. The Guardian has contacted Choudhury for a comment.
Following Choudhury’s suspension, the SNP MP Kirsty Blackman called on the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, to “urgently come clean on the reasons why yet another Labour party MSP has been suspended”. After Choudhury’s suspension, the SNP MP Kirsty Blackman called on the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, to “urgently come clean on the reasons why yet another Labour party MSP has been suspended”.
“The public deserve full transparency,” she said. “Whatever the explanation, with yet another scandal on the eve of their party conference, there’s no doubt the Labour party is in crisis.”“The public deserve full transparency,” she said. “Whatever the explanation, with yet another scandal on the eve of their party conference, there’s no doubt the Labour party is in crisis.”
The Scottish Conservative deputy leader, Rachael Hamilton, said Choudhury’s suspension showed “Labour are in complete chaos on the eve of their conference”.The Scottish Conservative deputy leader, Rachael Hamilton, said Choudhury’s suspension showed “Labour are in complete chaos on the eve of their conference”.
The Tory MSP said: “Confidence in Sir Keir Starmer is gone after a year of broken promises and U-turns, the digital ID scheme has faced instant backlash, Anas Sarwar is engaging in bizarre attacks on independent experts, and now Scottish Labour have had to suspend another MSP.”The Tory MSP said: “Confidence in Sir Keir Starmer is gone after a year of broken promises and U-turns, the digital ID scheme has faced instant backlash, Anas Sarwar is engaging in bizarre attacks on independent experts, and now Scottish Labour have had to suspend another MSP.”
Hamilton added that Labour should be “as transparent as possible about what’s happened”. Hamilton added that Labour should be “as transparent as possible about what has happened”.
Choudhury is chair of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council. He was also one of the founding directors of the annual multicultural festival Edinburgh Mela, where he serves as vice-chair.Choudhury is chair of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council. He was also one of the founding directors of the annual multicultural festival Edinburgh Mela, where he serves as vice-chair.