Suspended Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury accused of harassment

Foysol Choudhury has been an MSP for the Lothian region since 2021

MSP Foysol Choudhury has been suspended by Labour over an allegation of harassment, BBC Scotland News understands.

The complaint against him was made by an individual who works in the Scottish Parliament.

Choudhury, who has represented Lothian as an MSP for Labour since 2021, was suspended by the party at the weekend following an allegation of inappropriate conduct.

A Labour Party spokesperson said that the party “takes all complaints seriously” and that they are investigated in line with its rules and procedures.

Choudhury, who is sitting as an independent MSP, has been asked to comment.

The Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said on Monday that he could not provide any information about the complaint.

He told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme that it was an independent process as he cited potential safeguarding and confidentiality issues.

‘Swift action’

Sarwar denied that Scottish Labour had issues with the behaviour of some of its MSPs, with Choudhury’s suspension coming a month after MSP Colin Smyth was arrested and charged with possessing indecent images of children.

Sarwar said his party had taken “swift action” after receiving a complaint about Smyth.

He added: “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.”

Choudhury, who was born in Bangladesh, is chairman of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council.

He was one of the founding directors and is vice chairman of the multi-cultural festival Edinburgh Mela.