Humza Yousaf’s wife ‘not comforted’ as Foreign Office work to get parents out of Gaza
The wife of Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has told Sky News the Foreign Office is working hard to negotiate her parents’ escape from Gaza but she is “not comforted” by the chance of success.
The US has been trying to broker a deal to reopen Egypt’s Rafah Crossing with Gaza to allow foreigners to leave and humanitarian aid to be taken in.
The border was closed because of airstrikes early in the war. Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said it is proving “incredibly difficult” to allow people through.
Nadia El Nakla said she had barely slept after receiving a panicked 1am call from her parents who are visiting a sick relative in the war-torn area.
Ms El Nakla told Sky News she and her husband, the SNP leader, had fallen asleep moments before they were alerted about a possible imminent strike on the Gaza property where her parents are staying. It turned out to be a false alarm.
Israeli forces have positioned themselves along Gaza’s border, besieging the territory, ahead of what Israel says will be a broad campaign to dismantle the Hamas militant group.
Ms El Nakla, who is an SNP councillor, told Sky News her relatives were in ongoing talks with the Foreign Office.
She said: “The negotiations are happening. They said to me that, look, it’s personal for them. They have stuff there and it’s they desperately want people out.
“But the negotiations are ongoing. And as much as I truly believe that it’s not a comfort to myself, I just want them out there as soon as possible.”
Read more on Sky News:
Scotland’s FM makes tearful plea over family in Gaza
Live updates on Israel-Hamas war
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Humza Yousaf’s mother-in-law ‘trapped’ in Gaza
‘That feeling of helplessness is really poignant’
Mr Yousaf’s wife talked about the toll the constant panic is having on them.
She said: “My mum called at like 1am. The minute I heard Humza say ‘it’s your mum’ I just immediately felt sick and she was just crying and she said: ‘We’ve left the house, we don’t know where we’re going.’
“What was really difficult was they’re very much asking me what they should do and I don’t know what to do to keep them safe. So that feeling of helplessness is really poignant right now.”
Earlier on Sunday the SNP conference passed an emergency motion, which calls on the UK government to back United Nations demands for a humanitarian corridor to be set up, allowing people to leave and for aid to get into the territory to “mitigate the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza”.
The statement said the SNP “unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas, calls for the unconditional release of all the hostages and recognises the right of Israel, in commons with all nations, to protect itself from terror”.
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In full: Humza Yousaf condemns Israel
Family members ‘having to say goodbye as if it’s the last time’
Ms El Nakla told the SNP’s conference in Aberdeen that her family members are saying goodbye to each other “like it’s the last time” as civilians in Gaza are ordered to evacuate the north.
“Families like mine are having to move and they are having to say goodbye to each other as if it’s the last time,” she said.
“My dad yesterday – when we hoped he would leave – said goodbye to my grandmother for what we thought was the last time. Every person in Gaza is waiting to die.”
Ms El Nakla told the conference an “unimaginable horror” was unfolding, adding that “every person in Gaza is waiting to die”.
She added: “No food, no water, no electricity. We are seeing an attack on humanity and my heart feels like it is starting to turn to stone.
“Gaza is being obliterated like never before.”
Ms El Nakla used her speech to call on the UK and world leaders to “give the children of Gaza a chance of life”.
“Instead of sending spy planes, the UK should be sending supplies,” she told the conference.
She added: “We are not watching a natural disaster, this can be stopped.
“This can only happen when the world leaders use diplomacy, instead of weaponising, and strive for peace over war.”
Mr Yousaf embraced his wife after she spoke to the conference and then wiped away tears.
In an interview with Sky’s Beth Rigby earlier this week, a tearful Mr Yousaf said he felt “powerless” to protect his family.
UK
Reward of £20,000 offered to identify parents of three siblings abandoned as babies over eight years
A £20,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification of the parents of three siblings found abandoned in London over eight years.
The Metropolitan Police said that despite more than 450 hours of CCTV being reviewed, the parents of the three children, known as Elsa, Roman and Harry, remain unidentified.
However, it is believed their mother has lived in an area of east London “over the past six years”.
Elsa was believed to be less than an hour old when she was found by a dog walker on 18 January last year, in East Ham, east London.
In the months that followed it was found that she had two siblings who were also abandoned in similar circumstances, in the same area of London, in 2017 and 2019.
On Saturday, police said the independent group Crimestoppers had offered a £20,000 reward for information passed to the charity, which will expire on 18 April.
Detective Inspector Jamie Humm, of the Met’s child abuse investigation team, said: “We have carried out extensive inquiries over the past year to try and locate Elsa’s parents.
Baby Roman. Pic: Met Police/PA
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“This has involved reviewing over 450 hours of CCTV and completing a full DNA structure of the mother.
“We have serious concerns for the wellbeing of the parents, especially the mother, and are continuing to work closely with Newham Council and appeal for the public’s help for information.
“I believe that someone in the area will have been aware of the mother’s pregnancies and that within the community there may be (or) have been concerns for this mother’s welfare.
“Thanks to the DNA work of forensic colleagues, police will be able to eliminate any unconnected person quickly and easily, as such I would ask you to contact police with confidence.”
The baby was found at the junction of Greenway and High Street South in Newham. Pic: PA
Elsa was found wrapped in a towel in a reusable shopping bag, of which police have also released a new image, and was kept warm by the dog walker. She was uninjured.
Police said at the time that it was “highly likely” that she was born after a “concealed pregnancy”.
The Boots bag in which Baby Elsa was found abandoned by a dog walker in Newham on 18 January 2024. Pic: Met Police/PA
The BBC reported that at an initial court hearing, East London Family Court was told it took doctors three hours to record Elsa’s temperature because of the cold, and the Met Office said that temperatures dropped to as low as -4C on the night she was found.
Hospital staff named her Elsa in a reference to the character from the film Frozen.
The police investigation into the identity of the children’s parents continues, and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or post @MetCC ref Operation Wolcott.
People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously at any time on 0800 555 111 or via Crimestoppers-uk.org.
Fresh appeals have been made for information on what would have been the 20th birthday of Ellis Cox, who was shot dead in Liverpool last June.
A number of people have been arrested in connection with the murder at Liver Industrial Estate, but no one has been charged yet.
The 19-year-old’s family and police have paid tribute to him and called for those with information to come forward.
He was shot in the back after a confrontation between his friends and another group of up to three males on Sunday 23 June.
Ellis Cox who was shot dead in June 2024. Pic: Merseyside Police
His mother Carolyn paid tribute in an appeal to coincide with what would have been his 20th birthday.
“He was so kind… so laid back, so calm, so mature for his age. And he was just funny. Very funny.
“He was my baby… no mum should have to bury a child. He was my life. And I don’t know what to do without him.”
Mum Carolyn Cox (left) and aunt Julie O’Toole (right) are looking for answers
Ellis’ mum described him as ‘kind” and “funny. Pic: Merseyside Police
Meanwhile, his aunt Julie O’Toole said he was “the sort of person I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone to say anything negative about. He was loyal, fiercely loyal… everything was about his family”.
To pay tribute to Ellis, Liverpool City Council will be lighting up the Cunard Building and Liverpool Town Hall in orange on Saturday.
DCI Steve McGrath does not believe Ellis was involved in criminality
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, the senior investigating officer, spoke about the information gathered so far, six months on from Mr Cox’s murder.
“I’m satisfied that the group that he was with was probably the target… and I would say that’s got something in relation to do with localised drug dealing in that area. But Ellis had no involvement in that whatsoever,” he said.
He added that police are looking for “really significant pieces of evidence now”, including “trying to recover the firearm that was used in relation to this, looking to recover the bikes that were used by the offenders”.
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Mrs Cox also appealed for people to come forward with information.
“If you know anything, don’t let us get to [his] next birthday and still know nothing.
“We need to get justice for Ellis. And we need to get the people who took him from us off the streets.”
Former Manchester United and Scotland footballer Denis Law has died, at the age of 84.
In a statement, his family said: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle, but finally, he is now at peace.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.
“We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference.”
Denis Law in 2005. Pic: PA
The Aberdeen-born footballer previously announced in August 2021 that he had been diagnosed with dementia.
A prolific striker, Law scored 237 goals in 404 appearances for Manchester United, for whom he signed for a then-British record transfer fee in 1962.
He is the only man to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford – one on the Stretford End concourse, the other as part of the United Trinity statue overlooking the stadium’s forecourt beside fellow great George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.
Denis Law, third from left, as a statue featuring him alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best – known as the ‘holy trinity’ – was unveiled in 2008. Pic: AP
The only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or award, in 1964, he was also part of United’s triumphant campaign in the 1968 European Cup – in which they became the first English club to ever win the competition.
In a statement, the club said: “Everyone at Manchester United is mourning the loss of Denis Law, the King of the Stretford End, who has passed away, aged 84.
“He will always be celebrated as one of the club’s greatest and most beloved players.
Denis Law, centre, during Manchester United’s triumphant European Cup campaign in 1968. Pic: AP
“The ultimate goalscorer, his flair, spirit and love for the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.”
Wayne Rooney, former United captain and the club’s all-time record goalscorer, described Law as a “legend”.
“Thoughts with all Denis’s family and friends,” he said in an online post.
Another former United captain, Gary Neville, said: “A great footballer and a great man. It’s a privilege and an honour to have spent time in your company. The King of the Stretford End.”
A tribute from the Scotland national team said Law was “a true great”.
“We will not see his likes again,” it said.
Law also played for Huddersfield Town, Manchester City, and Italian club Torino during his club career, and made 55 appearances for Scotland, scoring 30 goals for his country.
Manchester City said in a post on X: “The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis.”
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