Labour candidate Andy Brown suspended for “sharing pro-Russian posts” | Politics News

Andy Brown is said to have posted links to a state-run RT article claiming that the Novichok used to poison former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter did not come from Russia.

A Labour Party candidate was suspended after it was revealed that he had spread “pro-Russian” posts on the Internet.

Andy Brown was dropped as Labour candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East after publishing posts denying Russian involvement in the Salisbury poisonings.

In 2018, he shared a link to an article on the state-run RT website (formerly Russia Today) claiming that the nerve agent Novichok had been used to Poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia did not come from Russia.

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Mr Brown shared a post suggesting that then-Prime Minister Theresa May withheld key information about the attacks.

He also published a post in which he appeared to downplay allegations of anti-Semitism against Labour.

The post included a quote from a Jewish historian who said: “The real problem … is that right-wing Jews in the Labour Party and outside the party reject the fact that Jeremy Corbyn is a consistent supporter of Palestinian rights.”

The Labour Party confirmed that Mr Brown had been suspended from the party pending the outcome of the investigation, meaning he cannot stand as a Labour candidate.

Rachel Reeves, Labour’s shadow chancellor, told Sky News’ Breakfast with Kay Burley: “I had never heard of this guy until this morning and I’m very, very glad that I hopefully won’t have to hear from him again as he has been suspended as a Labour candidate.”

“That is absolutely right. We acted quickly.

“There is no place in the Labour Party for people who do not share our values, who do not share the values ​​of the British public.

“That’s why we got rid of him as soon as these vacancies came to light. He is no longer a Labour candidate.”

She said Labour under Sir Keir Starmer takes “swift action when people behave badly”, adding: “That is why, for example, Jeremy Corbyn is no longer a Labour MP. He is not a Labour candidate in this election.”

“People who do not share our values ​​in the changed Labour Party will be thrown out of the Labour Party.”

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The newly created constituency of Aberdeenshire North and Moray East has already been marked by considerable controversy after Conservative David Duguid, who is recovering from a serious illness, was not selected as a candidate at the last minute.

Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross unexpectedly took his place just 24 hours before nominations had to be submitted.

Mr Duguid said he was “very sad about how this whole episode has unfolded and it would be wrong of me to pretend otherwise”.

Sky News has asked Andy Brown for comment.

The other candidates in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East are:

Ian Bailey, Liberal Democrats

Jo Hart, Reform UK

Seamus Logan, SNP