SNP PPC Osama Saeed today challenged Glasgow Central MP Mohammad Sarwar to state whether or not he supports trade Secretary Peter Mandelson's plans for Royal Mail part privatisation.

Mr Sarwar has signed an early day motion apparently opposing the plan, but Saeed points out that he made similar gestures last year on the closure of post offices, but did not rebel when the time came to vote in the House of Commons.

Osama Saeed said: "Since coming back into the fold, Peter Mandelson has already divided Labour with plans for Royal Mail that even Mrs Thatcher wouldn't have dared put forward.

"The SNP totally oppose this proposal. It will inevitably mean more loss of services and more loss of jobs.

"Last year Mohammad Sarwar said he opposed the closure of Glasgow post offices only for him to lose his nerve when the time came to vote on it.

"Now Mohammad Sarwar should come clean to the people of Glasgow and state clearly whether he supports Peter Mandelson and privatisation, or will he be - albeit belatedly – rebelling this time".