Mohammed Sarwar, the Glasgow Govan MP, has protested his innocence after appearing in court to face three charges of electoral fraud.

The MP waited half an hour before leaving the court

The 45 year old businessman, who became Britain's first Moslem MP on May 1, is accused of three charges of electoral fraud.

They include the alleged late registration of voters, attempting to pervert the course of justice and breaking the law in connection with election expenses.

Mr Sarwar arrived at Glasgow Sheriff Court three hours before his court appearance. The hearing, before Sheriff Charles MacFarlane was in private and he was not required to plead.

Several camera crews were waiting for him

Half an hour later Mr Sarwar left the court to be greeted by well-wishers, before going to his solicitors office to draw up a statement.

"I am naturally disappointed that charges have been brought against me," he said.

"However, I am also to some extent relieved because, after police inquiries lasting more than seven months, the intense speculation engendered by those inquiries, much of it ill informed, should now be over."

Mr Sarwar reads from his statement (23")

"I reaffirm that I have done nothing wrong and I maintain that I am innocent of all charges."

Mr Sarwar protests his innocence

"I have full confidence in the Scottish criminal justice system. If I am eventually indicted I am confident that the truth will come out and I will be acquitted of all charges."

Mr Sarwar said that he was aware that there have been "calls in some quarters" for his resignation. To this he responded: "Since I have done nothing wrong it would be entirely inappropriate for me to resign and I have no intention of doing so."

Although Mr Sarwar is refusing to resign as an MP he was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party in June after police inquiries began and allegations were made against him in a Sunday newspaper. A Labour spokesman said the suspension deprived Mr Sarwar of the right to represent the party at any level.

Since then Mr Sarwar has only visited the House of Commons once. He was due to have made his maiden speech in parliament on Friday but this has now been cancelled.

Under Scottish procedures, it is now for Crown officials to investigate the allegations further and a decision on what detailed charges, if any, the MP is to face will be taken by senior lawyers.
 

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