SNP suspends firearm councillor

An SNP councillor has avoided being thrown out of the party after appearing on video firing a Kalashnikov rifle.

A party disciplinary committee instead decided to suspend Glasgow councillor Jahangir Hanif for two months.

Mr Hanif had apologised for the incident which happened on a family holiday to Pakistan in 2005, before he became a councillor.

The SNP said suspending him was a serious matter which would remain on his record in dealings with the party.

'Foolish and inappropriate'

Mr Hanif, 46, was immediately suspended pending the hearing in Edinburgh after the footage emerged.

The party called his actions "foolish and inappropriate".

Following the hearing, an SNP spokeswoman said: "Suspension from membership of the party is a serious matter, which will stand on Councillor Hanif's record in relation to all future activity.

"It reflects that the committee found him to be guilty of a breach of party discipline and rules. It is of course subject to appeal."

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