Sarwar says police inquiries will clear his name

"Internal Exile" for Sarwar

Labour's National Executive Committee and Mr Brown decided to suspend the MP for Glasgow Govan pending the outcome of police investigations into allegations that Mr Sarwar attempted to bribe a rival candidate during the election campaign.

However, in a surprise move, Labour is passing the results of its investigations to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Sir Gordon Downey.

Mr Sarwar has denied the allegations against him, insisting he will be cleared by the police inquiry.

The NEC suspension means that Mr Sarwar will no longer be able to sit on Labour's Scottish Executive. If he is suspended by Mr Brown, he will not be able to attend PLP meetings, ask for assistance from PLP staff or sit on backbench committees. However, he will be expected to attend votes in the House of Commons.

Also accepted by the NEC were recommendations regarding the organisation of the Govan Labour Party. The local party is currently suspended; the recommendation is that it be re-established in October, comprising nine new branches.

The NEC also agreed to suspend the MP for Liverpool West Derby, Bob Wareing. He was suspended from the PLP by Mr Brown last week, over an alleged failure to declare in the Register of Member's Interests financial involvement with companies in Serbia.

In a statement issued through his public relations representative, Mr Sarwar reiterated his belief that police inquiries would clear his name.

"I am obviously saddened by the National Executive decision that I should be suspended from holding office within the Labour Party," said Mr Sarwar.

"I am confident that the various police enquiries will clear my name. I sincerely hope that once this has happened the National Executive will lift the suspension," he continued.

"In the meantime I will continue to serve the Labour Party and the people of Govan to the best of my ability," added Mr Sarwar. "It is my intention to pursue my defamation action against the News of the World but I hope I will now be allowed to represent my Govan constituents unhindered by any further media harassment."