New MP in racism row over councillor and AK47

Scotland's newest MP yesterday sparked a racism controversy, by speaking out against critics of a councillor who was suspended by the SNP for firing a Kalashnikov while on a trip to Pakistan with his family.

Labour used yesterday's First Minister's Questions to challenge Alex Salmond over whether he backed Glasgow East MP John Mason.

Mr Mason had responded to a letter by Labour's Margaret Curran, whom he defeated in the election, and said the "repeated attacks were coming across as thinly disguised racism" and claimed the attacks on Jahangir Hanif "can easily be construed as attacks on Pakistan itself".

The contents of the letter were published yesterday in The Herald's sister paper, the Evening Times, where he said the suspension was perhaps "severe". Mr Mason said: "Many countries in the world allow guns to be used freely. These include the United States, Israel, and Pakistan.

"Scotland is perhaps unusual in having a minimal number of guns in circulation. I and many in the SNP would want to further tighten legislation in Scotland to reduce the number of airguns.

"However, while being opposed to freely available guns, including airguns in Scotland, I totally support the right of other countries to take a different view.

"Once we start implying other countries are second rate because they have a different opinion from us, we are surely being racist."

His comments provoked anger among some Glasgow politicians. Bill Aitken, Conservative justice spokesman, said: "Councillor Hanif's conduct was unacceptable. No differing standards should apply in Pakistan than should apply here. He was not singled out because of the colour of his skin or the country of his origin. He was singled out, as anyone would have been, because what he did was wrong."

Labour MSP Mohammad Sarwar, said: "This issue has nothing to do with Pakistan, colonial power, or anything else."

At Holyrood, Cathy Jamieson, acting Labour leader, asked the First Minister if he would apologise for Mr Mason, who won the Glasgow East by-election in July, and asked whether he shared his views that those who criticised Mr Hanif were racist.

Mr Salmond said "No" and then questioned the validity of the question as party-related and not first ministerial.

Told by Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson that this appeared to be a party rather than a political matter, Ms Jamieson said: "I appreciate that there are matters to do with the party. I also think this is something the people of Scotland are concerned about."

Mr Salmond said: "I don't accept that the matter has been taken lightly by the SNP. Suspension from a political party is a serious matter. Councillor Hanif's actions have been condemned by the party as being extremely unwise, and I don't accept the interpretation that the matter has been taken lightly in any shape or form."

He added: "And I think this whole chamber should unite in deploring and deprecating racism in Scottish society wherever it emerges.

"And that point of unity should not be lost in an attempt to say what somebody might have said about somebody, and to claim party advantage."

Ms Jamieson referred to a letter sent by councillor Hanif's daughter, who complained to the First Minister that her father had been treated lightly by the SNP.

Noor Hanif wrote: "My siblings were put in an environment where people were pointing loaded AK 47s with each other. I cannot believe you have taken it so lightly."

Mr Mason was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Later, Mr Salmond's spokesman refused to give Mr Mason the SNP leader's backing. Instead, he said Mr Salmond backed the party's disciplinary committee in handing out a "harsh" suspension punishment, and stressed that will stay on Mr Hanif's record throughout his time in the SNP. At a briefing, the spokesman was asked repeatedly if Mr Salmond had confidence in John Mason, and declined to do so.