The Labour Party has suspended Andy Brown, a candidate in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency, following reports that he shared “pro-Russian” material online. Brown had posted an article from Russian state media outlet RT, which claimed that the Novichok nerve agent used in the Salisbury poisonings was “never produced in Russia” but was in service in the US, UK, and other NATO states. The article was shared by Brown in April 2018.

The Salisbury poisonings involved the attempted murders of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia, and ex-police officer Nick Bailey. All three survived, but Dawn Sturgess tragically died after being exposed to the nerve agent, which had been left in a discarded perfume bottle in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018.

In addition to the pro-Russian posts, Mr. Brown also shared a quote from a Jewish historian, highlighting tensions within the Labour Party regarding Palestinian rights.

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressed her satisfaction with Brown’s suspension, emphasising the party’s commitment to high standards. Despite the suspension, Brown will still appear on the ballot paper for the upcoming election, as the nomination deadline has passed. However, he will not receive Labour’s backing.