HUMZA Yousaf has set up a company to receive payments for his work outside of being an MSP.
The former first minister joins the ranks of his predecessors Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond in setting up firms to take money for their extra-parliamentary ventures.
Yousaf, who stepped down as first minister in May this year, registered the company H and N Yousaf Ltd on September 6 with his wife Nadia, who owns half the firm.
It comes after Sturgeon was revealed to have been paid £25,000 for her turn on ITV’s election night coverage.
She has also made £2700 reviewing books for the Labour-friendly magazine the New Statesman, paid to her company Nicola Sturgeon Limited, according to her entry in the Scottish Parliament’s register of interests.
Private companies can be used to lower tax bills.
The Times, which first revealed news of Yousaf’s new venture, noted that it is understood Sturgeon will pay income tax on the money she draws from her company, of which she is the sole shareholder.
Yousaf has declared a payment of £2400, paid to his company, for a presentation at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva, Switzerland, in his register of interests.
The former first minister is also said to derive income from conflict resolution work, and will do more in the realm of international relations.
A spokesperson for Yousaf told The Times: “The company set up by Humza Yousaf and his wife, Nadia, is for activity undertaken outwith their respective roles as elected members.”
But the former first minister has come in for criticism for the move, with the Tories saying his constituents will “be wondering why he is spending his time focusing on such matters rather than tackling their real concerns”.
Scottish Tory chair Craig Hoy added: “The former SNP leader should be upfront about thes purpose of this company and if it is going to result in him failing to help his constituents on a day-to-day basis.”
