Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury Suspended Amid Allegations; Whip Withdrawn Pending Inquiry

Scottish Labour has suspended MSP Foysol Choudhury and withdrawn the party whip, listing him as an Independent pending the outcome of an investigation into an alleged inappropriate conduct complaint. The party did not disclose details of the complaint, saying it would be handled under its rules and procedures. The move follows a pattern of internal discipline that has unsettled Labour supporters and political observers alike as Holyrood approaches next year’s elections.

The suspension places Choudhury alongside fellow Labour MSP Colin Smyth, who was suspended from the party last month after he was arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images of children. Smyth has also had his parliamentary pass blocked in August after being charged over claims a camera was hidden in a Holyrood toilet. The broader police inquiry reportedly involved multiple male MSPs, a journalist and several staff who were contacted about alleged secret recordings in a toilet near the main chamber. While those details have circulated in media reporting, Labour and police have not publicly specified the exact nature of each alleged wrongdoing. The timing of Choudhury’s suspension adds to the sense of a party navigating a difficult stretch as it tries to present unity ahead of the conference season.

The development comes as Labour leader Anas Sarwar travels to Liverpool to deliver what has been described as a keynote address at the party conference. In what is expected to be a public policy critique aimed at the governing SNP, Sarwar is set to frame the election campaign around governance and finances, arguing that SNP mismanagement has left Scotland’s public purse in a worse position. Opponents have argued that the fresh scandals surrounding Labour in Scotland could undermine that message and complicate the party’s argument for change.

The SNP has urged Choudhury to provide detailed answers about the disciplinary action. Kirsty Blackman, a Conservative MP representing Scotland, criticized Labour for what she described as a pattern of internal turmoil. Blackman said the Scottish Labour Party appeared to be in “crisis” and pressed for transparency about the reasons behind Choudhury’s suspension and related actions involving Smyth and others who have faced scrutiny in recent weeks. A Labour spokesperson said the party takes all complaints seriously and that investigations are conducted in line with its rules and procedures, with any appropriate action taken.

Administratively suspended rather than expelled, Choudhury remains a member of the Scottish Parliament while the investigation proceeds. He previously faced criticism over the quality of evidence he provided to an Employment Tribunal about his role with the Edinburgh Mela, a cultural festival run for several years as part of the Edinburgh Festival. The tribunal found that while former director Chris Purnell’s evidence was credible, the testimony given by Choudhury and the Mela chairman was often unsatisfactory and did not meet the same standard. The tribunal upheld Purnell’s claim and awarded him £70,000.

Born in what was then East Pakistan in 1969, Choudhury immigrated to Scotland and became a successful businessman with interests in hospitality, catering, finance and property across the UK and in Bangladesh. He became the first Scots Bangladeshi elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2021, riding the wave of a broader push by Labour to diversify its representation. His background as a community leader and business figure has been cited by supporters as a resource for addressing Scotland’s economic challenges, but the ongoing disciplinary case threatens to overshadow his political profile as Labour seeks to present a stable alternative to the SNP ahead of the elections.

The controversy surrounding Choudhury is part of a broader pattern of inquiries and allegations that have shaken Labour’s standing in Scotland in recent months. The party has acknowledged the series of investigations and emphasized that all complaints are handled seriously and according to established rules. Critics argue that the timing — with a high-profile conference looming and poll numbers lagging — heightens the risk of political damage that could extend beyond the individual case to the party’s broader strategy.

As the investigation unfolds, observers will watch for details the party may reveal about the nature of the complaint against Choudhury. For now, Labour’s leadership faces pressure to achieve clarity and reassurance about governance and conduct within its ranks, while the SNP and other opponents try to turn the situation into a test of Labour’s readiness to govern. The next steps will likely include the publication of any findings from the inquiry and potential changes to party procedures to address issues of discipline and accountability in the Scottish Parliament.