Scottish Labour has found itself at the center of a political storm following the suspension of Foysol Choudhury, a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Lothian, over an allegation of inappropriate conduct. The announcement, made on September 27, 2025, comes just as the party prepares for its annual conference, intensifying scrutiny of its internal affairs and leadership.
Choudhury, who has served as an MSP since 2021, was administratively suspended by the Labour Party after an internal complaint was made against him. According to BBC News, he will now sit as an independent while the party carries out its investigation. A Labour spokesperson stated, "The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken." The party has declined to comment further while the investigation is ongoing, citing the need to follow due process.
This latest suspension marks the second time in less than two months that Scottish Labour has taken such action against one of its MSPs. Just over a month ago, Colin Smyth was suspended after being arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images, as reported by ITV News and The National. Smyth also faces allegations of placing a secret camera in toilets inside the Scottish Parliament. The proximity of these two suspensions has raised concerns both within and outside the party, with critics calling for greater transparency and accountability.
Choudhury's suspension has drawn immediate and sharp responses from opposition parties. SNP MP Kirsty Blackman issued a pointed statement, saying, "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. 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."
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton echoed these sentiments, describing Labour as being in "complete chaos" on the eve of their conference. Hamilton commented, "Confidence in Sir Keir Starmer is gone after a year of broken promises and U-turns, the digital ID scheme has faced instant backlash, Anas Sarwar is engaging in bizarre attacks on independent experts, and now Scottish Labour have had to suspend another MSP. Labour should launch an investigation into this latest situation and be as transparent as possible about what's happened."
Choudhury, who was born in Bangladesh, is not only a political figure but also a prominent community leader. He serves as chairman of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, is a founding director and vice chairman of the multi-cultural festival Edinburgh Mela, and chairs the Bangladesh Samity Edinburgh. His suspension has therefore reverberated beyond the political sphere, affecting the communities he represents and the organizations with which he is involved.
The Labour Party's stance has been consistent throughout the unfolding situation. A spokesperson reiterated, "The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken." Despite repeated calls for more detailed explanations, the party has maintained its position of not commenting further while the investigation is ongoing. This approach, while in line with standard disciplinary procedures, has not satisfied critics who argue that the public deserves more information, especially given the timing and frequency of recent suspensions.
The context for Choudhury's suspension is a period of turbulence for Labour, both in Scotland and at the UK level. In addition to the suspensions of Choudhury and Smyth, the party has faced a series of high-profile controversies in recent weeks. Angela Rayner, who served as deputy prime minister in the UK government, resigned following a dispute over her tax affairs, admitting to underpaying around £40,000 in stamp duty on a property in Hove. Peter Mandelson, a veteran Labour figure, was sacked as UK ambassador to the US after revelations about his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, Morgan McSweeney, chief of staff to Labour leader Keir Starmer, came under fire for failing to declare nearly £740,000 in donations, resulting in fines for more than 20 breaches of electoral law.
These incidents have been seized upon by Labour's political opponents as evidence of a party in disarray. As The Scottish Sun reported, the SNP has demanded "full transparency" regarding Choudhury's suspension, while the Conservatives have characterized the party as being in "crisis." The timing could hardly be worse for Labour, with its annual conference set to open in Liverpool and party leader Anas Sarwar preparing to address delegates amid a backdrop of scandal and internal discord.
Some observers note that the Labour Party's approach to internal discipline reflects a broader trend in UK politics, where parties are increasingly pressured to demonstrate zero tolerance for misconduct while also respecting the rights of those accused. The challenge lies in balancing transparency and due process—a balancing act that often leaves both critics and supporters dissatisfied. As the investigation into Choudhury's conduct proceeds, the party must navigate the competing demands of public accountability, legal caution, and internal unity.
For Choudhury himself, the suspension marks a dramatic turn in a career defined by community engagement and advocacy for equality. Elected to Holyrood in 2021, he has been a visible figure in both the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh's civic life. The outcome of the Labour Party's investigation will not only determine his political future but may also have broader implications for the party's reputation and standing among voters, particularly in Lothian and among minority communities.
As the dust settles and the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the Labour Party faces a critical test of its ability to manage internal crises, communicate with the public, and maintain the confidence of its members and supporters. With the eyes of the political world fixed on Liverpool and Holyrood, the coming days may prove decisive for both the party and the individuals at the center of the controversy.
