SNP minister faces backlash after he defends attempt to 'delegitimise' UK laws
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A senior SNP minister has been accused of promoting open defiance of the rule of law after he claimed it was his role to “delegitimise” UK Government policies he sees as unjust.
Humza Yousaf, who was on Wednesday promoted to health secretary after a tenure in charge of Scotland's justice system, defended his support of crowds in Glasgow who forced the release of two Indian immigrants from Home Office custody.
There was an eight hour stand-off on Thursday last week after officials took two men into the back of an immigration enforcement van.
Hundreds of people surrounded the vehicle following a raid in Glasgow’s Southside, preventing it from leaving, and the men were eventually released.
Mr Yousaf spoke out in favour of the protesters, saying the Home Office’s so-called “hostile environment” strategy was “not welcome here”.
Speaking to Holyrood Magazine’s Politically Speaking podcast, Mr Yousaf was asked whether it was his place, as the then justice secretary, to “delegitimise” the UK rule of law.
He replied: “Yes, actually. I think people look to me for ensuring that I, and the Scottish Government, are the voices of justice.
“For me, there is no justice in forcible removal and a dawn raid asylum and immigration policy that is designed to create a hostile environment by its very definition.
Former justice secretary Humza Yousaf has said he will delegitimise the UK rule of law if he thinks it is the right thing to do on issues such as immigration https://t.co/j4lrexGLqe
— Holyrood magazine (@HolyroodDaily) May 19, 2021
“So just because something may be within the UK Government’s rule of law doesn’t stop me from protesting.”
He added that he did not support illegal activity from protestors and denied this had taken place, despite coronavirus regulations restricting mass gatherings remaining in force.
He said: “Other than peaceful protest, nobody engaged in illegal activity and ultimately, the police resolved it through legal means, through powers that they had.”
The Home Office has defended its operation, arguing it was “tackling illegal immigration and the harm it causes”.
Murdo Fraser, the Tory MSP, described Mr Yousaf’s comments as “absolutely appalling” and said it was “just as well” Mr Yousaf was no longer in charge of justice.
He added: “How can we expect citizens to respect the rule of law when a government minister is promoting open defiance?”
