Sunday, January 24, 2010

If the SNP are serious about trying to win Glasgow Central, they should face the truth, Osama Saeed should be replaced as the SNP Candidate




















Dear All

A while ago I wrote a post on Osama Saeed who is standing as the SNP Candidate for Glasgow Central against Anas Sarwar of the Labour Party.

My view, unchanged is that Osama Saeed will not win Glasgow Central. Rather than being an asset, his involvement in the Scottish Islamic Foundation makes him a liability.

He should be replaced by the SNP if they are serious about winning this seat at the General Election.

The Scottish Government gave the Scottish Islamic Foundation money to put on a festival called IslamFest.

There was no festival and the Scottish Government had to chase the SIF to return the money.

So, the Labour Party has enough ammunition to secure victory, the Scottish Government having to hound Osama Saeed to get the money returned.

As a bonus gift from Osama Saeed to the Sarwar family, he asked in relation to the expenses of MP Mohammad Sarwar;

“Have you ever paid any of your family members from Parliamentary allowances?”

Given the Scottish Islamic Foundation has members of his family and SNP members, it calls into question his judgement.

Why is it wrong for Mohammad Sarwar to use taxpayer money to pay a relative for work when his family and friends get a benefit in kind from their involvement in his organisation?

Osama Saeed’s activities haven’t gone unnoticed in the SNP even as far as ministerial level with both Fergus Ewing and Alex Neil concerned about the way the Scottish Islamic Foundation was operating.

Osama Saeed will never be returned to Westminister as an MP, his only chance of elected public office is on a regional MSP list.

He should be replaced as soon as possible.

That way the SNP would have a reasonable chance of success rather than allow the Labour Party to use Osama Saeed’s baggage to create a higher majority.

Finally, the SNP should realise that if they don’t act then this could have a knock on effect that will see Nicola Sturgeon back on the regional list in 2011.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

2 comments:

Unknown said...

The only member of Osama's family that the SIF have employed is Osama. You may have read incorrect internet reports to the contrary, but these are from people that do not understand that it's possible to be active in an organisation without getting paid for it.

You should correct this.

G Laird said...

Dear Shavez

I have admended my post on your information. I was under the impression from internet reports that several members of his family hold positions within the organisation.

I am happy to correct to reflect that you say these people are unpaid.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University