Scottish Labour has suspended MSP Foysol Choudhury, pending the outcome of an investigation said to be over alleged inappropriate conduct.
The Bangladeshi-born British businessman has represented the Lothian region since May 2021. It is understood he has been “administratively suspended” following an internal complaint.
A spokesperson for the party said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously.
“They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”
He was voted into the Scottish parliament from the regional list, becoming the first Scottish Bangladeshi elected to Holyrood.
In August he was selected as Labour’s candidate for the new seat of Edinburgh Northern. He is currently listed on the Scottish Parliament website as an independent.
Mr Choudhury received the MBE in the 2004 New Year Honours in recognition of his services to the community.
He is chairman of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council and vice chairman of the multi-cultural festival Edinburgh Mela.
During his time studying at the University of Edinburgh, Mr Choudhury took responsibility for his ailing father’s business which he expanded. He is now an entrepreneur with interests in catering, hospitality, finance and real estate across the UK and Bangladesh.
SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said: “Anas Sarwar [Scottish Labour leader] must urgently come clean on the reasons why yet another Labour Party MSP has been suspended, shortly after Colin Smyth.
“The public deserve full transparency. Given the long list of scandals that have rocked the Labour Party recently – with Foysol Choudhury, Colin Smyth, Peter Mandelson, Morgan McSweeney, Paul Ovenden and Angela Rayner all caught up in the last month alone – voters deserve answers.
“Whatever the explanation, with yet another scandal on the eve of their party conference, there’s no doubt the Labour Party is in crisis.”
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