ANAS Sarwar has been urged to “provide clarity” on the status of two Scottish Labour politicians who have been charged with crimes.
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said it was “critical” the Scottish Labour chief clears up whether two high-profile councillors remained members of the party’s group in the local authority after they were charged with offences.
Frank McAveety has been charged with electoral fraud, it emerged this week, while former lord provost Philip Braat was charged with stalking a former partner.
Scottish Labour announced that Braat, who has pled not guilty to offences including putting up a banner in his former partner's close and writing abusive remarks on her front door, had been suspended after news of his arrest broke in December.
It emerged on Tuesday night that McAveety had been charged with allegedly committing electoral fraud by claiming to live in Glasgow when he lived in Paisley – but Scottish Labour has so far refused to comment on the case.
McAveety is one of the most high-profile Labour figures in the city, having previously been council leader. His time as an MSP also saw him embroiled in a string of scandals.
In a letter to Sarwar, Aitken said she supported the “principle of innocent until proven guilty” she felt it was “right and proper that anyone facing serious charges is removed from their responsibilities at the earliest opportunity”.
She added: “I am concerned that this has not yet happened in the case of Cllr McAveety.
“Furthermore, despite announcing the suspension of Philip Braat following the charges brought against him, I am also concerned that the indication from the available information is that this may not be the case.
"Cllr Braat remains listed as a Labour councillor on the City Council's website and continues to submit apologies to Labour group meetings.
“There can be no dubiety around elected members facing criminal charges taking part in discussions or decision making on a range of sensitive issues or representing citizens facing often complex challenges.
"Nor can the impression be created that political parties do not view such criminal charges as sufficiently serious as to suspend the relevant members from their duties.
“It is therefore critical that at the earliest opportunity you provide clarity on the status of both Frank McAveety and Philip Braat and that this is made clear to the Glasgow public.”
Scottish Labour were approached for comment.
