Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has been accused of breaching the ministerial code for allegedly using his office to lobby the UK Foreign Office to prioritize the evacuation of his in-laws from Gaza last year.
Official documents revealed that Yousaf attempted to have his family moved up the "priority list" for evacuation as they sought refuge in Egypt before eventually flying to Scotland. His parents-in-law had been visiting relatives in Gaza just before Hamas launched its October attack on Israel, sparking the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
These documents, obtained by The Telegraph through a freedom of information request, show that Yousaf’s private office lobbied Foreign Office officials. Yousaf also had a personal call with James Cleverly, then Foreign Secretary, where he was informed that his family had been added to the priority list of Britons fleeing Gaza. His in-laws were safely evacuated two days after Yousaf resigned as First Minister in May.
Additionally, three days after the Hamas attack, Yousaf spoke with Lord Ahmed, the Middle East Minister, about “the ongoing situation in Israel/Gaza, specifically with regards to his parents-in-law.”
Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr, a former member of the Scottish Parliament’s standards committee, accused Yousaf of violating the ministerial code, which states that public officials should not use their office for the benefit of family or friends.
“Of course I understand the human dimension of this but it appears that Humza Yousaf has clearly sailed right over the line in breach of the ministerial code. There are questions to answer,” Kerr said.
Kerr called for an investigation by the Scottish government, citing the "Nolan Principles" that guide public officials’ conduct. He acknowledged the personal nature of the situation but argued that, as a public servant, Yousaf’s methods should be scrutinized.
“Which of us, in Humza Yousaf’s desperate position, would not have mentioned family members trapped in Gaza at such a dangerous time to the foreign secretary, if we had the chance,” he said, adding. “We shouldn’t question his motives but as a public servant, we have every right to question his methods. The rules are very clear.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish government denied the claims, stating it was "completely untrue" that Yousaf received preferential treatment for his family.
“The former first minister consistently sought assurances that the UK government was doing everything it could to ensure the safety of all British citizens in Gaza,” a spokesperson said.
