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Sarwar plans to stand down as MP Sarwar plans to stand down as MP
(about 5 hours later)
Mohammed Sarwar, the 54-year-old Labour MP for Glasgow Central, has announced he is to stand down from Westminster at the next General Election.Mohammed Sarwar, the 54-year-old Labour MP for Glasgow Central, has announced he is to stand down from Westminster at the next General Election.
The father-of-four was elected as the MP for the former Govan ward in 1997 and was Britain's first Muslim MP. The father-of-four was elected as the MP for the former Govan seat in 1997 and was Britain's first Muslim MP.
Mr Sarwar told BBC Scotland he felt it was time to move on and focus more of his energies on his charity work.Mr Sarwar told BBC Scotland he felt it was time to move on and focus more of his energies on his charity work.
He said it had made him very proud to represent his constituents and said they had shown him great support.He said it had made him very proud to represent his constituents and said they had shown him great support.
Mr Sarwar, a retail millionaire, also promised to keep working to improve his local community even when he is no longer serving as the area's MP.Mr Sarwar, a retail millionaire, also promised to keep working to improve his local community even when he is no longer serving as the area's MP.
He told the Daily Record: "I think it's time to move on. I'll be an MP for the next two years but I am not seeking re-selection to stand again."He told the Daily Record: "I think it's time to move on. I'll be an MP for the next two years but I am not seeking re-selection to stand again."
ControversyControversy
Mr Sarwar said that Gordon Brown would be an "excellent" Prime Minister.Mr Sarwar said that Gordon Brown would be an "excellent" Prime Minister.
The MP is planning to concentrate on charity projects in Scotland and his native Pakistan.The MP is planning to concentrate on charity projects in Scotland and his native Pakistan.
His political career has, however, been dogged by controversy since he won a bitter selection battle against Mike Watson, the former MP for Glasgow Central.His political career has, however, been dogged by controversy since he won a bitter selection battle against Mike Watson, the former MP for Glasgow Central.
Soon after his election, he was suspended from the parliamentary Labour party over allegations of bribing political opponents, and stood trial for fraud.Soon after his election, he was suspended from the parliamentary Labour party over allegations of bribing political opponents, and stood trial for fraud.
He was acquitted in March 1999 and restored to the Parliamentary Labour Party.He was acquitted in March 1999 and restored to the Parliamentary Labour Party.
He has concentrated on constituency issues, and has become one of the leading Commons advocates of the Scottish ship-building industry.He has concentrated on constituency issues, and has become one of the leading Commons advocates of the Scottish ship-building industry.