Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, is under scrutiny following a decision to donate £250,000 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for emergency aid in Gaza. The controversy stems from claims of a potential conflict of interest, given that Yousaf’s in-laws were trapped in Gaza during the conflict but later managed to escape.
Yousaf has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusations “outrageous” and labeling them as part of an “Islamophobic pile-on.” He clarified that the decision to donate to UNRWA was made in response to their emergency flash appeal and was consistent with the Scottish Government’s humanitarian commitments. He also stressed that the aid agency had no role in his in-laws’ evacuation, which was facilitated by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
The allegations were brought to light by The Telegraph, which reported that Yousaf overruled officials who recommended that a portion of the funds be allocated to UNICEF instead. Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr has called for Yousaf to provide a detailed explanation, suggesting the possibility of a breach of the Scottish ministerial code.
Yousaf has addressed the accusations on social media, expressing frustration over what he sees as repeated attempts to link him to terrorism and undermine his leadership due to his faith and race. He maintains that his actions were guided by humanitarian needs and a rigorous allocation process for international development funds.
This situation highlights the challenges Yousaf faces as Scotland’s first Muslim First Minister and the scrutiny that accompanies his decisions, especially those related to international aid and his personal connections.