Conrad Landin
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A CONTROVERSIAL candidate for target parliamentary seat Glasgow South West has been banned from seeking the nomination, the Scottish Labour party confirmed today.
Asim Khan, an ally of unsuccessful Scottish Labour leadership candidate Anas Sarwar, was challenging Matt Kerr for the Westminster seat.
Mr Kerr, a postman and Communication Workers Union official, slashed the SNP majority from 9,950 to 60 at last year’s general election.
But local party members were furious after news surfaced that an employment tribunal in 2016 found Mr Khan responsible for a “complete failure” to protect a female worker at now defunct charity Roshni, which he chaired. Mr Khan denies any wrongdoing.
Ten female Labour Party members from the constituency wrote to party chiefs saying Mr Khan was “unfit” to stand as a Labour candidate.
And the CommonSpace website reported yesterday that a panel of Labour’s Scottish executive committee ruled Mr Khan ineligible to stand in late June.
“Asim Khan has been removed from the shortlist of candidates for Glasgow South West by the Scottish executive committee following a hearing,” a Scottish Labour spokesman confirmed.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Labour Women’s Movement told CommonSpace: “This is the right decision and shows that the Scottish Labour Party and the SEC value women’s place in the party.
“We should never be in a position where someone with such a terrible record on equality can put themselves forward to represent the party of equality.”
Mr Khan told the Star: “This is a disappointing decision and I intend to take legal action. I have already spoken to my legal team who are today, contacting Brian Roy — general secretary with my stated intent.
“There have been repeated malicious attempts to undermine this selection process. It’s important that we have an open and fair contest so that members in Glasgow South West can help deliver a Labour MP and a Labour government.”
The selection is now likely to go ahead with two remaining candidates: leftwinger Mr Kerr and former Glasgow MSP Hanzala Malik.
Conrad Landin is Scotland Editor.
