Humza Yousaf spoke for many Scots of colour yesterday when he recalled his own experiences of policing in this country. The First Minister rightly recognised the hard work individual officers do every day in keeping communities safe.
But he also warned that all public institutions must identify and dismantle any discriminatory barriers that have been erected. Yousaf was stopped and searched by police more than a dozen times as a youth.
It’s a matter of record that people of Asian or African descent were more likely to be stopped by police while going about their business. The SNP leader was speaking on the same day the country’s most senior police officer made an extraordinary admission. Iain Livingstone, who will soon retire from Police Scotland, said the force was institutionally racist.
It means that discriminatory attitudes still exist within the force and more must be done to challenge them. Livingstone was laying down a marker for whoever succeeds him in the force’s top job.
By making a public statement it sends a very strong message that policing in the 21st century must represent all communities, not just some. Livingstone should be commended for his actions.
Police Scotland must now rise to the challenge and stamp out discrimination in the force. The new First Minister will be watching on to ensure that they do.
Do you think Police Scotland has a problem with racism? Share your views in the comments.
Join up thinking on immigration
It is telling that there was little negative reaction in Scotland yesterday to the news that net immigration is at record levels. We have a Tory Government that uses immigration as a political tool to divide and play on people’s fears.
Thankfully it doesn’t work here. While Rishi Sunak is busy saying immigration is “too high”, in Scotland there is a realisation that there is a shortage of workers in areas vital to our economy.
Industries like fishing, farming and hospitality are suffering and these sectors need people from abroad to thrive, but that kind of thinking seems to be out of sync with the rest of the UK. The SNP government has requested more powers are devolved to Scotland around immigration and employment.
That would allow us to bring in the labour we desperately need to grow the economy this side of the border. It would be encouraging if the Holyrood and Westminster governments could come to an arrangement that saw immigration policy satisfy the needs of all parts of the UK.
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