He does have quite a following in Glasgow, where he has a reputation as an effective constituency operator, good with bureaucrats. He also has a considerable history of questionable financial dealings, involving huge expenses nabbed from the charity War on Want of which he was General Secretary, undeclared payments from the Pakistani Government, and a string of mistresses. Also a pal with large business dealings in Iraq! The Pakistanis offered him £50,000 + £10,000 to be paid in cash. Hmmm! Basically, he strikes me as faintly mafia-ish: crooked as the day is long, but willing to make a show of looking after the schmucks in his neighbourhood as long as it doesn't harm his business. Very interesting that his "Maryam Appeal" was never registered as a charity - despite the tax benefits! - because, no doubt, charities have to file extensive accounts....