‘KALASHNIKOV COUNCILLOR’ WANTS PARLY SEAT
Opponents say machine gun fan will miss target
A SHAMED politician – dubbed the Kalashnikov councillor after being captured on video coaching his young children how to use a machine gun – is campaigning for a seat in the Scottish Parliament.
Former SNP councillor Jahangir Hanif was forced to apologise after footage emerged of him training his young children to fire an AK-47 assault rifle during a visit to Pakistan. The SNP condemned his “inappropriate conduct” and suspended him for two months while his own daughter wrote to the party demanding his expulsion, claiming she had been terrified on the gun-toting trip.
Hanif, a Glasgow City councillor when the gun row emerged, is now campaigning to be selected as the SNP candidate for the constituency of Ayr.
But last night, there was disbelief that he was trying to revive his political career by standing for Holyrood.
Scottish Labour MSP for South Scotland, Colin Smyth, said: “The people of Ayr need a representative that will stand up for their interests and hold the SNP and Tory Governments to account. What they do not need is a representative mired in controversy.
“Frankly, Mr Hanif does not seem to be a fit candidate and I am sure the people of Ayr will share my concerns over his past actions.”
Hanif was captured in a video at a camp at the Pakistan border using an AK-47, then making five of his six children – including his five-year-old daughter – fire the gun, which releases 600 rounds a minute.
Hanif has been approached for comment.