UK Labour suspends candidate for allegedly sharing pro-Russia posts
2 Min Read
The posts relate to the 2018 Salisbury poisoning case, in which the British government accused Russia of attempting to assassinate former Russian military intelligence Colonel Sergey Skripal.
-
Leader of the Scottish Labour Party Anas Sarwar (not seen) delivers a speech on stage during the launching of the Scottish Labour Party election manifesto, in Edinburgh, on June 18, 2024. (AFP)
The UK Labour Party suspended Andy Brown, one of its parliamentary candidates two weeks before the general election for sharing content by the RT Russian media outlet six years ago on social media.
Brown is campaigning to represent the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency in northeast Scotland. The decision, initially reported by local newspaper The Press and Journal, has since garnered national attention.
The contentious posts relate to the 2018 Salisbury poisoning case, in which the British government accused Russia of attempting to assassinate former Russian military intelligence Colonel Sergey Skripal, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Britain.
Brown reportedly shared an RT article questioning the UK government's narrative and a social media post alleging that then-Prime Minister Theresa May was withholding crucial information about the case.
In an interview with the BBC, Brown denied sharing the posts, adding that his account "may have been corrupted at some point."
Additionally, The Press and Journal said the Labour Party officials were "spooked" by another post allegedly shared by Brown, which questioned the widespread claims of antisemitism within the Labour Party.
Commenting on Brown's suspension, Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told Sky News, "I hadn’t heard of this guy until this morning, and I’m very, very pleased that I will hopefully not have to hear of him again because he’s been suspended as a Labour candidate."
She emphasized that Labour Party leader Keir Starmer takes "swift action when people misbehave," stressing that "people who do not share our values in the changed Labour Party get kicked out."
Despite his deselection, Brown can still run as a candidate in the July 4 election. If elected, he will serve as an independent MP.
It is noteworthy that in March 2022, the UK banned RT from broadcasting following the start of the Ukraine war.
Read more: Labour blocks candidate's election bid over anti-'Israel' tweet 'like'
