Humza Yousaf is back in the news again after questions were raised about whether he secured preferential treatment from the UK Government in helping his parents-in-law flee war-torn Gaza.  

The Former First Minister has issued a furious denial he was involved, branding the allegations “smears”, while John Swinney has said there will not be any Scottish Government investigation into the claims.  

The allegations surfaced at the weekend, with reports that Mr Yousaf lobbied the UK Government to help his wife’s parents escape from the territory when it came under attack from Israel following the October 7 massacres.  

Senior Tory MSP Stephen Kerr has called for a probe into the claims. 

Elizabeth and Maged El-NaklaElizabeth and Maged El-Nakla (Image: PA)

What’s the background to this story?  

After Israel shut its border with Gaza and began its military action, the parents of Humza Yousaf’s wife Nadia - Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla – became trapped. 

The couple had been visiting relatives in the Strip, but were unable to leave and were witness to the daily bombardment of civilian zones which accompanied the Israeli offensive.  

After several weeks, both were able to cross the border with Egypt and return home to Scotland.

Humza Yousaf and wife Nadia El-NaklaHumza Yousaf and wife Nadia El-Nakla (Image: PA)

What has been alleged about Humza Yousaf’s role? 

The Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported it has obtained a cache of correspondence which reveals the extent to which members of Mr Yousaf’s private office assisted him in lobbying for his relatives’ release. 

The newspaper claimed these efforts resulted in Mr Yousaf securing an “urgent” call with Lord Ahmed, the then Middle East minister, on Oct 10 “to discuss the ongoing situation in Israel/Gaza, specifically with regards to his parents-in-law”. 

Speaking to newspaper, Stephen Kerr, who served on the Scottish Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee until earlier this year, said, while Mr Yousaf’s “motives” should not be questioned, “we have every right to question his methods”. 

How has Humza Yousaf responded?  

Angrily. The Former First Minister took to Twitter to say: “They can try all the smears they want, but they won't stop me from talking about the atrocities facing the people of Gaza & Lebanon.  

“As the FOIs show, not a single request was ever made by me for preferential treatment for my in-laws. They left alongside other British nationals.” 

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First Minister John Swinney has backed his colleague, saying: “I think what’s important is to focus on the central point in this whole story, which is about the fact that we had citizens from this country who were trapped in Gaza, in an awful conflict and they had to be supported to be brought home,” he said. 

Asked specifically if he would order a probe under the ministerial code, Mr Swinney said: “I have no intention of doing so.” 

And the official response?  

An FCDO spokesman told the Sunday Telegraph: “No preferential treatment was given to the former first minister or his family. FCDO Ministers spoke with him at the time to update him on the conflict in the Middle East. As part of these wider conversations, they discussed his family’s personal circumstances”.