This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6228920.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Sarwar plans to stand down as MP Sarwar plans to stand down as MP
(about 5 hours 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. Mohammad 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, Britain's first Muslim MP, said he had received death threats over the Kriss Donald murder.The father-of-four, Britain's first Muslim MP, said he had received death threats over the Kriss Donald murder.
But he denied the threats or his son's conviction for money laundering had anything to do with his decision to move on.But he denied the threats or his son's conviction for money laundering had anything to do with his decision to move on.
He said he would focus more of his energies on his charity work.He said he would focus more of his energies on his charity work.
Cash and carry managing director Athif Sarwar, 28, was convicted for an £850,000 money laundering scam in May.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".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 I told the Labour Party before the Scottish Parliament elections that I would not be seeking re-selection Mohammed Sarwar MP class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6231016.stm">Text of retirement letter
But Mr Sarwar said his decision was influenced by other factors. He said: "This is my third term in the House of Commons.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 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 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.""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."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.
Mr Sarwar also discussed his role in helping to negotiate the transfer of the killers of Kriss Donald from Pakistan to Scotland.Mr Sarwar also discussed his role in helping to negotiate the transfer of the killers of Kriss Donald from Pakistan to Scotland.
ControversyControversy
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.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.""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.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.