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SCMP Reporter

More corruption allegations have surfaced about the election campaign of Britain's only Muslim MP, Labour's Mohammed Sarwar.

 A second candidate in the Glasgow Govan election, following allegations in a Sunday newspaper, claims one of Mr Sarwar's aides tried to bribe him.

 Prime Minister Tony Blair has asked Scottish police to investigate, prompting positive comment from British newspapers. They compared the speed of his response to John Major's unwillingness to take action over 'sleaze' claims against Conservative MP Neil Hamilton.

 The News of the World has claimed Mr Sarwar made a payment of GBP5,000 (HK$63,000) to Independent Labour candidate Badar Islam.

 Peter Paton, 43, a security supervisor who won 325 votes standing as an unofficial Labour candidate, has disclosed he lodged a complaint with police over a separate bribery attempt.

 He wrote to Strathclyde Chief Constable John Orr saying he would welcome an immediate inquiry into allegations of 'impropriety and electoral fraud' in Govan.

 Mr Sarwar, who strongly denied the earlier claims, was summoned from his Glasgow home to a meeting with Chief Whip Nick Brown in Downing Street.

 Afterwards, he issued a statement saying he would consult his lawyers about lodging a libel writ.

 But Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar said the allegations were 'a matter of serious concern'. 'I have spoken to the Lord Advocate and he instructed an immediate and rigorous investigation by the Crown Office into the allegations made and the relevant surrounding circumstances,' he said.

 The report in The News of the World said multi-millionaire Mr Sarwar had secretly met Independent Labour candidate Mr Islam before the election, offering to 'compensate' him if he eased off his campaigning so as not to split the Asian vote.

 The report said Mr Sarwar had also tried to persuade Mr Islam to make an affidavit about another candidate who had apparently complained to police about alleged electoral irregularities.



Labour bribery scandal widens