Mohammed Sarwar, Britain’s first Muslim MP, revealed that he received death threats over his role in the conviction of three racist murderers. But he denies that they are linked to his decision to quit politics.

Mr Sarwar, 54, said that his family had been threatened by a gang linked to Imran Shahid, Zeeshan Shahid and Mohammed Faisal Mushtaq, who were jailed for killing and torturing a teenager, Kriss Donald, in 2004 in Glasgow.

The Labour MP for Central Glasgow was instrumental in arranging the extradition of the three men after they fled to Pakistan. “Life is not the same, to be honest with you, since I brought them back. I was subjected to threats. I was told they wanted to punish my family and make a horrible example of my son – they would do to him what they did to Kriss Donald,” he said.

The killers were members of a violent gang that terrorised the Pollokshields area of Glasgow. Mr Sarwar told the Daily Recordhe knew what the consequences were in bringing the men back but he still felt “it was the right thing to do”.

The millionaire businessman said that he wanted to focus more of his energies on his charity work. “I told the Labour Party before the Scottish Parliament elections that I would not be seeking reselection. This is my third term in the House of Commons. I thought the time was now right to move on.

“I am heavily involved in charity work across the world and I want to help people in desperate need in education and health. I would like to have more time with my grandchildren. I also have elderly parents and I want to give more time to them.”

He said that his decision had nothing to do with his son’s conviction over a £840,000 money-laundering scam.

Mr Sarwar was once suspended from the Labour Party over bribery allegations but he was later acquitted and reinstated.

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