The SNP’s candidate for Glasgow Central, Osama Saeed, has hit out at Mohammad Sarwar’s record on the Iraq war.

The current Labour MP claimed to oppose the invasion, but voted against an inquiry to investigate it. The comments come as Saeed’s campaign released video footage of veteran antiwar campaigner George Galloway slamming his ex-colleague Sarwar and expressing regret at helping him get elected.

Saeed has been one of the leading figures in the antiwar movement since its inception, speaking at and organising the historic demonstrations of the last several years. He concluded that the only way for Glasgow voters to get consistency was to have an SNP MP.

Commenting, he said: "The Iraq Inquiry when it finally did get established, was packed with government vetted figures, some of whom even supported the war. The inquiry has no real powers, no cutting edge in questioning, and it was ensured that even this would not conclude before the election. It was Labour MPs like Sarwar who made it thus.

"It doesn't make sense to say you oppose the war on one hand, but deny justice to all those who lost life, limb and home on the other. This is the problem with having a Labour MP represent you. They cut deals and engage in backroom chicanery. For example, Sarwar is widely rumoured to have secured a peerage in return for his support on 42 days detention.

"As an SNP MP, I will influence the government rather than having the government influence me. Principles and justice will always come first. I will never bare my back to Labour whips."