Labour Suspends Candidate Over Pro-Russian Posts
The Labour Party has suspended Andy Brown, running for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, after he shared “pro-Russian” material online. Brown posted an article from Russian state media outlet RT in April 2018, claiming the Novichok nerve agent used in the Salisbury poisonings was “never produced in Russia” but deployed by the US, UK, and NATO countries.
Salisbury Poisonings: A Deadly Controversy
The notorious Salisbury attack targeted former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia, and ex-police officer Nick Bailey. All three survived the nerve agent assault. However, Dawn Sturgess later died after exposure to Novichok found in a discarded perfume bottle in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018.
Labour Party Turmoil Over Content Shared
Aside from the pro-Russian article, Brown also shared a quote from a Jewish historian, stirring fresh tensions within Labour over Palestinian rights—a hot-button issue in the party.
Shadow Chancellor Backs Suspension
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomed Brown’s suspension, stressing Labour’s zero tolerance for compromising standards. Brown remains on the election ballot but without official Labour support, as the nomination deadline has passed.
