ANAS Sarwar has revealed that police are investigating far-right threats against him and his family.
Four people have been charged over the last year, and there are three trials pending.
Sarwar said he received a barrage of abuse when it emerged that he’d been told by a Labour colleague that Scotland wasn’t ready to be led by a “brown, Muslim Paki”.
The veteran politician said there had since been threats against his wife Furheen and sons Adam, 10, Ahmed, 8, and two-year-old Aliyan.
The Glasgow MSP has been forced to carry a personal security alarm and closely monitor the whereabouts of his three young sons.
Earlier this week, he told the Cross Party Group on Tackling Islamophobia: “I’ve avoided sharing too much over the last year because I wanted the focus to be on the lived experiences of people in everyday interactions, be that in the classroom, the workplace, or college and university campuses,” he said.
“The last year has been extremely challenging. There have been eight police investigations, four people charged, one convicted and three trials pending this year of threats made directly to me and my family. That shows you the extent of the challenge in the last year. I have not shared that publicly with anybody, apart from today for the first time.
He added: “I am sharing that just to emphasise that this is not a game, this is a genuine issue that we need to come together on and we need to address, no matter our faith, no matter our background, or our our political affiliation.”
Sarwar also told the Daily Record: “I have received threats before but not on the scale I have received in the last year.
“I have never before had to travel with a mobile device that lets people know where I am, when I’m there and has a panic button.
“I have never before had to think about my family’s travel and my children’s travel – to think about where they are and who they are with. Are they in a protected environment? I have to think about that all the time now.”
READ MORE: Labour perceived as 'working against ethnic minorities'
Last year Sarwar claimed South Lanarkshire Council group leader Davie McLachlan, pictured above, told him Scotland wasn’t ready for a “brown, Muslim Paki” during the party’s leadership election in 2017.
McLachlan denied what he called “deeply hurtful allegations”.
He was immediately suspended by the party, but there has seemingly been little progress over the last year.
Sarwar said: “I’m clearly disappointed that the issue hasn’t been resolved.
“That’s unfair on the complainant – me – but it is also unfair on the person who has been complained against. There’s not that much to investigate and I think it should have been resolved.”
READ MORE: Suspended Labour councillor denies Anas Sarwar's racism claims
There was support for Sarwar from across the political spectrum.
SNP MP Stewart McDonald, who was last week targeted by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, tweeted: “Anas Sarwar has served our city for coming up to 10 years.
“I’ve always enjoyed our political jousting, which has been underpinned by respect and even good humour. These threats against him and his family represent an attack on us all, and all of Glasgow should send solidarity.”
Tory MSP Annie Wells tweeted: “Well done to @AnasSarwar for speaking out. It’s extremely sad to see that in modern Scotland, people still have to deal with this level of abuse.”
Arthur Robertson, a pensioner from Dunfermline, was fined £450 in August after pleading guilty to sending the MSP a letter containing racist abuse.
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