Anas Sarwar urges sacked MP Brian Leishman to be team player if readmitted to Labour
Anas Sarwar has urged sacked MP Brian Leishman to be a team player if he is readmitted to Labour.
The Scottish Labour leader said he welcomed people who were 'committed' to the party when asked about the suspension.
Grangemouth's MP was one of four to have the whip withdrawn from the Labour parliamentary group last week after repeatedly voting against Starmer's policies.
He has been a critic of Labour over issues including the lack of action to save jobs at Grangemouth refinery in his constituency.
Sunday Mail columnist Leishman revealed he had been ordered to toe the party line after voting against the government 12 times in the past year.
He said: 'I still think that the Labour Party is the best and most likely vehicle for social change in the country and I want to be part of it.
"I want to get back in but I don't regret what I've done in the first 12 months. I stand by it and I still think I'm right.'
He said he had not heard from colleagues since his suspension, other than to be told he was being removed from two Scottish Labour Whatsapp Groups.
But he said he would campaign for his colleagues in the Holyrood elections.
He said: 'That includes Anas Sarwar, I'm still going out campaigning and that includes him.
"I think he should be the next First Minister of Scotland.'
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Asked if he would welcome Leishman's support, Sarwar told the Sunday Mail: 'Look, I want all of our MPs and all those that were elected as Labour MPs to work hard for their constituents, to argue the Labour case and to improve people's lives in Scotland.
'Brian Leishman himself has said that he wants to remain a Labour MP, he remains committed to the Labour Party.
'I want people that are committed to the Labour Party. I want people that are committed to improving people's lives but we all have to do it in a team spirit.'
Despite his suspension, Leishman has ruled out joining the SNP or Jeremy Corbyn's new party.
He has said he wants the Labour whip back and that he is "committed rock solid" to the party.
The other Labour MPs to be suspended by Keir Starmer were English MPs Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchcliff and Rachael Maskell.
Three other MPs lost their trade envoy roles.
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