A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Mohammed Sarwar, the Labour MP for Govan, on charges of election fraud.

The warrant was issued by the Crown Office in Edinburgh. Arrangements have been made for Mr Sarwar to appear voluntarily at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The charges relate to the alleged late registration of voters, attempting to pervert the course of justice and contraventions of the Representation of the People Act in connection with election expenses.

Mr Sarwar has repeatedly denied the allegations. His agent has described him as being disappointed by the latest turn of events.

The Labour MP has only visited the House of Commons once since he was suspended by party.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "When the police inquiries began, the Labour Party took action against Mr Sarwar in two ways.

"His membership of the Parliamentary Labour Party was suspended and the Labour Party deprived him of the right to represent the party at any level. That remains the position."

The spokesman refused to comment any further about Mr Sawar, who continues to be a Labour MP.

Pakistan-born Mr Sarwar, 45, is married with four children. On the Labour Party's website he is listed as a member of UK Overseas Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and the Ethnic Minority Enterprise Centre.

His main leisure pursuits are said to be spending time with his family. His main political interests are housing, employment and devolution.

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