Scottish Labour is facing renewed turmoil after the suspension of Foysol Choudhury, the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Lothian, over an allegation of harassment. The complaint, lodged by a staff member at Holyrood, has thrust the party into the spotlight just as it was hoping to rally ahead of crucial elections and at the height of its annual conference in Liverpool. According to BBC Scotland News, the allegation includes claims of sexual harassment and was reported over the weekend before September 30, 2025, leading to Choudhury’s immediate suspension from the Labour Party.
The suspension means Choudhury now sits as an independent MSP, a change that was swiftly reflected on the Scottish Parliament website. The Labour Party has stated unequivocally that it “takes all complaints seriously” and that such matters are “fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.” The party has declined to provide further details about the nature of the complaint, citing safeguarding and confidentiality concerns. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar emphasized the independence of the investigation, telling BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme that he could not comment further due to the sensitive nature of the case.
Choudhury, who was elected in 2021 and is the first Scots Bangladeshi MSP, has not commented publicly on the allegations. He is well known in the community for his roles as chairman of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council and as a founding director and vice chairman of the multicultural Edinburgh Mela festival. His background also includes extensive business interests in hospitality, catering, finance, and property both in the UK and Bangladesh, as reported by the Daily Record.
The complaint was reportedly made by a younger woman who works as a staffer in the Scottish Parliament. According to sources cited by the Daily Record, the woman was signposted to Labour’s UK-wide complaints process, which the party describes as aiming to ensure that “the rules of the party are upheld and the party provides a place where members feel comfortable to engage in political activity and debate in a welcoming environment.” The Labour website further states, “Fairness is at the heart of everything we do in the Labour Party, and a robust procedure for dealing with complaints is vital in order to ensure all our members are treated fairly.”
The timing of the suspension could hardly be worse for Labour. It comes on the eve of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s keynote speech at the party’s annual conference, and just as Scottish Labour was hoping to project unity and competence ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections. Instead, the party finds itself on the defensive, with the opposition Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Scottish Conservatives both seizing on the scandal. SNP MP Kirsty Blackman was quick to demand transparency, stating, “Anas Sarwar 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… voters deserve answers.” She added, “With yet another scandal on the eve of their party conference, there’s no doubt the Labour Party is in crisis.”
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Choudhury is the second Labour MSP to be suspended in recent weeks. In September, MSP Colin Smyth was charged with possession of indecent images of children and with offences related to a hidden camera in a Holyrood bathroom. Smyth’s parliamentary pass was deactivated, and Holyrood staff were offered counselling in the wake of the allegations. The Scottish Daily Mail reports that at least five male MSPs, a journalist, and several staff members were contacted by police regarding alleged secret recordings in a toilet near the main chamber.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has repeatedly denied that the party has systemic issues with the behavior of its MSPs. He told the Daily Record, “When issues come up, we take swift action. When we became aware of the nature of the investigation against Colin Smyth, we suspended him immediately. Now he sits as an independent MSP. 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. We take swift action when it’s appropriate.”
Despite these assurances, the political fallout has been immediate. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton MSP criticized Labour’s handling of the situation, saying, “Labour are in complete chaos on the eve of their conference. Confidence in Sir Keir Starmer is gone after a year of broken promises and U-turns… Labour should launch an investigation into this latest situation and be as transparent as possible about what’s happened.”
Transparency is precisely what many are demanding. The Scottish Parliament confirmed that it was notified by Labour on September 26, 2025, to list Choudhury as an Independent MSP “until further notice.” The party has thus far resisted calls for greater disclosure, with Sarwar and other officials insisting that the process must remain independent and confidential to protect all parties involved.
Choudhury’s suspension has also revived scrutiny of his past. Six years ago, before becoming an MSP, he was criticized by an Employment Tribunal for the quality of evidence he gave as a leader of the Edinburgh Mela. The tribunal, convened at the request of former director Chris Purnell (who had been sacked), found Purnell’s evidence “entirely credible” and described Choudhury’s testimony as “often unsatisfactory,” noting a “reluctance to answer simple questions directly.” Purnell’s claim was upheld and he was awarded £70,000. This episode, while not directly related to the current allegations, has added to the swirl of controversy now surrounding Choudhury.
For Labour, the stakes are high. The party has struggled to regain its footing in Scotland after years of electoral setbacks, and scandals such as these threaten to undermine efforts to present a united and ethical front. The leadership insists that its complaints procedures are robust and that “fairness is at the heart of everything we do,” but the coming weeks will test whether the public and party members are convinced.
As the investigation into Choudhury’s conduct continues, all eyes are on how Scottish Labour manages the crisis, balances transparency with due process, and addresses the broader questions of trust and accountability that have been raised. The outcome may well shape the party’s prospects not just in the Lothian region, but across Scotland as it heads toward another pivotal election year.
