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Sarwar plans to stand down as MP Sarwar plans to stand down as MP
(about 1 hour later)
Mohammed Sarwar, the 54-year-old Labour MP for Glasgow Central, has announced he is to stand down from Westminster at the next General Election.Mohammed Sarwar, the 54-year-old Labour MP for Glasgow Central, has announced he is to stand down from Westminster at the next General Election.
The father-of-four was elected as the MP for the former Govan seat in 1997 and was Britain's first Muslim MP.The father-of-four was elected as the MP for the former Govan seat in 1997 and was Britain's first Muslim MP.
Mr Sarwar told BBC Scotland he felt it was time to move on and focus more of his energies on his charity work.Mr Sarwar told BBC Scotland he felt it was time to move on and focus more of his energies on his charity work.
He said it had made him very proud to represent his constituents and said they had shown him great support. He said the decision had nothing to do with political pressure or his son's conviction for money laundering.
Cash and carry managing director Athif Sarwar, 28, was convicted for an £850,000 money laundering scam in May.
He had handled thousands of pounds of money described as "criminal property".
I told the Labour Party before the Scottish Parliament elections that I would not be seeking re-selection Mohammed Sarwar MP
But Mr Sarwar said his decision was influenced by other factors. He said: "This is my third term in the House of Commons.
"I was a councillor before I was an MP. I thought the time was now right to move on.
"I am heavily involved in charity work across the world and I want to help people in desperate need in education and health.
"I am also a grandfather now and I would like to have more time with my grandchildren. I also have elderly parents and I want to give more time to them."
He added: "(His son's conviction) has no bearing whatsoever on my decision. I told the Labour Party before the Scottish Parliament elections that I would not be seeking re-selection."
Mr Sarwar, a retail millionaire, also promised to keep working to improve his local community even when he is no longer serving as the area's MP.Mr Sarwar, a retail millionaire, also promised to keep working to improve his local community even when he is no longer serving as the area's MP.
He said: "I think it's time to move on. I'll be an MP for the next two years but I am not seeking re-selection to stand again." Mr Sarwar also discussed his role in helping to negotiate the transfer of the killers of Kriss Donald from Pakistan to Scotland.
ControversyControversy
Mr Sarwar said that Gordon Brown would be an "excellent" Prime Minister. He said: "I think it was a brutal and vicious murder and it sent a message to all those who seek to commit crimes and then flee from justice.
"I am glad I was able to bring back the murderers of Kriss Donald with the support of Strathclyde Police who did wonderful job of bringing them back to face justice."
Mr Sarwar also said that Gordon Brown would be an "excellent" prime minister.
The MP is planning to concentrate on charity projects in Scotland and his native Pakistan.The MP is planning to concentrate on charity projects in Scotland and his native Pakistan.
His political career has, however, been dogged by controversy since he won a bitter selection battle against Mike Watson, the former MP for Glasgow Central.His political career has, however, been dogged by controversy since he won a bitter selection battle against Mike Watson, the former MP for Glasgow Central.
Soon after his election, he was suspended from the parliamentary Labour party over allegations of bribing political opponents, and stood trial for fraud.Soon after his election, he was suspended from the parliamentary Labour party over allegations of bribing political opponents, and stood trial for fraud.
He was acquitted in March 1999 and restored to the Parliamentary Labour Party. He was acquitted in March 1999 and restored to the parliamentary Labour Party.
He has concentrated on constituency issues, and has become one of the leading Commons advocates of the Scottish ship-building industry.He has concentrated on constituency issues, and has become one of the leading Commons advocates of the Scottish ship-building industry.