Three board members of ELREC – the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, where Choudhury is chairman – have raised fears of a politically motivated and racist campaign.
Foysol Choudhury MSP (Image: Sunday Mail)
Prominent anti-racism campaigners have voiced alarm over the deselection of an Edinburgh MSP set to be a Labour candidate at May’s Holyrood election. Foysol Choudhury, 56, has been removed as the party’s hopeful for Edinburgh North after being suspended over allegations of sexual harassment, which remain neither resolved or fully investigated after three months.
Bangladeshi-born Choudhury, who received an MBE in 2004 for decades of community work, has not been told who his accusers are or details of the complaints against him. There has been no complaint to police or to parliamentary authorities, reports the Sunday Mail.
Now three board members of ELREC – the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, where Choudhury is chairman – have raised fears of a politically motivated and racist campaign.
Rajnish Singh, Mahmood Rajah Khan and Irina Lazarenko said: “Several months have now passed, yet neither the public nor Mr Choudhury has received a clear explanation regarding the nature of the allegations or the reasons for his suspension. This ongoing lack of communication has understandably given rise to anxiety and speculation within the community.
“Many constituents are also troubled by the timing of these events. The suspension appeared to begin shortly after Mr Choudhury was selected as the Labour candidate for Edinburgh North.
“Prolonged uncertainty and unresolved allegations can have a damaging impact on an individual’s mental health, family life and overall wellbeing, as well as on the communities they serve.
“There are also growing concerns the handling of this matter may be perceived as racially motivated. For many black and minority ethnic communities, trust in political institutions is fragile. The approach taken in this case has only deepened that disillusionment.”
The complaints regarding Choudhury are being dealt with by Labour’s Newcastle-based Governance and Legal Unit.
Back in December the Sunday Mail told how the ex-Labour leader of Edinburgh City Council, Cammy Day, used a fake name to lodge an official complaint about fellow councillor Ross McKenzie, for which he was later forced to issue an “unreserved apology”.
The local party has been dogged by infighting, with claims and counter-claims of inappropriate behaviour. Earlier in 2025, Day was suspended and then readmitted to Labour over claims of inappropriate messages sent to Ukrainian refugees.
Scottish Labour said it takes all complaints seriously, adding: “They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”