Sarwar: further allegations

Sarwar Sleaze Attack Deepens

The paper alleged that Mr Sarwar paid an election rival £5000 to run a losing campaign. Mr Sarwar, who denies the allegations, last week launched a legal case of defamation against the paper.

The fresh allegations concern a third man named Tariq Malik who the paper says witnessed the meeting between Mohammed Sarwar and Independent Labour candidate Badar Islam. Mr Malik, Mr Islam's election agent, claimed he saw Mr Sarwar pass the cash, in a carrier bag, to Mr Islam in the MP's Mercedes. Mr Malik told the newspaper, "The moment I saw the money I knew it was corrupt and illegal. I was stunned, frightened and very concerned about what was happening, and I knew it was wrong."

Mr Malik said he was the "middle man" but realised the gravity of the situation only when Mr Sarwar allegedly tried to get Mr Islam to sign an affidavit branding as liars his other political opponents in Govan.

News of the World allegations

The newspaper also published a transcription of what it claimed was a taped conversation between Mr Sarwar and Mr Islam in which they discussed the affidavit. Mr Sarwar allegedly told Mr Islam to "manufacture" allegations against his election rivals, and then told him he would bail him out of trouble.

In a further development, lawyers for Mr Sarwar have announced they have a sworn affidavit from Mr Malik denying he spoke to the newspaper.

Mr Sarwar and Mr Malik appeared together but did not speak at a news conference outside Glasgow-based lawyers, Hughes Dowdall. Chris Kelly, acting for Mr Sarwar, said "Tariq Malik has today sworn an affidavit before a notary public in which he denies making to the News of the World any of the statements attributed to him by that newspaper."

Futhermore Mr Sarwar's lawyer said Mr Malik "..affirms his belief in Sarwar's innocence of the allegations made against him."

Labour said the latest claims would be submitted to its own in depth inquiry which was ordered by the National Executive Committee last week. The party reiterated that it would not hesitate to take tough action against Mr Sarwar if the allegations were proved true.

The Prime Minister told the NEC on Wednesday that the party had set very high standards for itself and must take the "firmest action" if there was any wrongdoing and Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar has asked Strathclyde police to investigate.

The News of the World also published what it said was further evidence of electoral impropriety in the Govan constituency, including allegations that some of Mr Sarwar's supporters had voted more than once in both local council elections and the general election.