HUMZA Yousaf has said it was not only racist “pogroms” across England and Northern Ireland making him consider his family’s future in the UK.
Appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe, the former first minister was challenged on comments he had made to the News Agents podcast earlier in the week when he said he was concerned for his family’s safety.
Yousaf had said: “You cut me open, I’m about as Scottish as they come. But the truth of the matter is, I don’t know whether the future for me and my wife and my three children is going to be here in Scotland or the United Kingdom or indeed in Europe and the West, because I have for some time really worried about the rise of Islamophobia.”
At the time, more than 100 far-right protests were expected to take place on Wednesday night, targeting immigration lawyers, charities, and hotels among other sites. However, tens of thousands of anti-racism protesters instead turned out against very small number of far-right demonstrators.
Appearing at the Fringe on Thursday for an Iain Dale All Talk event, Yousaf was asked by stand-in host Matthew Stadlen if he still stood by his comments which “obviously shocked people”.
Yousaf responded: “Things haven't changed over the last few days. Look, this is not just because of the race riots – and I would call them pogroms because I do believe they’re pogroms against Muslims and against people of colour – this hasn't happened in the vacuum.
“We've not just had years, but I would suggest decades of institutionalised Islamophobia and anti-migrant rhetoric that used to be the preserve of the far-right very much mainstreamed into our political discourse. I can show many, numerous examples of that.”
Yousaf further pointed the finger at social media platforms such as Twitter/X – which he called a “cesspit of disinformation” – and its own billionaire owner Elon Musk, who Yousaf said was one of the most dangerous people on earth.
The former SNP leader said that, after he spoke to the News Agents, people had argued that if he left the UK he would be letting “the fascists win”.
“I say, well, that might well be the case, but before I'm a politician, before and ahead of the abstract, first and foremost I’m a father and a husband,” he said.
“I have to look at my daughters who are of mixed heritage – my wife’s Arab, I’m Scottish-Asian – will they be safe?
“OK, Scotland has not had race riots and long may that continue, but let's not pretend Scotland doesn't have racism and Islamophobia.
“Could I say at this point, at this time, at this hour, could I say that my daughters would be safe as people of colour, as Muslims if they choose to wear a hijab in the future, could I say that they won't get attacked because of the colour of their skin or because of their faith?
“I can't say that with any certainty.”
Yousaf added: “I should say every single Muslim I've spoken to in the last week is saying the exact same thing, to a man, to a woman.”
Asked how the UK should go about tackling the rise of far-right anti-immigration rhetoric, Yousaf said it began with politicians. He argued they should shoulder the blame for issues with housing, the economy, and the cost-of-living, and suggested many had instead pointed the blame at migrants.
Yousaf went on: “Let me give you just one example. If I think of the last 20 years of successive UK governments, I've never heard a prime minister stand up and make a positive speech about the contribution of migration, even though migration has undoubtedly been a benefit to this country.
“Migrants have come, they've contributed to our economy, to our public services, to our culture, to our arts, to our cuisine. They've contributed in huge ways … but I can't remember the last time the prime minister ever said: ‘Let's reset the narrative. Actually, multiculturalism is good for our country. Migration is not just good, but it's necessary’.”
He added: “My clear message actually to Keir Starmer – who I think, by the way, I commend him on the statements that he's made about the British riots – I would say to Keir Starmer, you've got an opportunity now. I think you have to do it. Reset the narrative around migration, and be honest with people.”
