Update: Following Heat Street’s original publication of this story Satnam Singh has been suspended from the Labour Party.
A spokesman said: “Mr Singh did not inform the Labour Party of his convictions on applying to become a candidate. We took immediate action as soon as this came to light.”
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Labour is facing embarrassment after it emerged that one of its candidates in next month’s local elections has a conviction for selling fake Viagra and counterfeit tobacco products.
Satnam Singh, who is standing in the Clifton Down ward of Bristol on May 5, was fined almost £4,000 after Bristol Trading Standards officers visited his shop and seized smuggled tobacco and 743 illegal non-branded Viagra tablets in March 2014.
Sources told Heat Street that Singh did not tell the Labour Party about his conviction when he was initially selected as a candidate.
At the same time, the party appears to have failed to carry out any background checks on him before allowing him to stand.
It also means that, unusually, Singh has been prosecuted by the very council he is attempting to join next month.
Singh pleaded guilty to four trademark charges, three labelling offences and two medicines offences at Bristol Magistrates’ Court in November 2014, when he was convicted.
After the case concluded, Trading Standards and Licensing Manager Jonathan Martin said: “This prosecution has shown that illegal tobacco is not limited to any particular area in Bristol and the problem has even spread to shops in quieter areas of the city.
“This is an ongoing priority for Bristol Trading Standards, especially with the links illicit tobacco can have to organised crime, human trafficking and funding terrorism.”
Martin had particular concerns about Singh’s attempt to sell fake Viagra. He said: “Even more worrying was the discovery of the illegal medication. Medication like Viagra is heavily regulated for good reasons and the safety of the residents of Bristol is one of our highest concerns.”
Singh could not be reached for comment.
And 24 hours after the story was put to Labour, a spokesman would only say: “We are unable to comment on this matter until we have gathered all necessary information. Once we have this information any appropriate action will be taken.”