Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf cancels event as he fights for his political future

Published

9 months ago

April 26, 2024

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Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has cancelled a speech he was due to give in Glasgow this lunchtime as he fights for his political life.

The event at Strathclyde University, where the SNP leader was also due to take part in a question and answer session and take questions from the press, was scratched with just a few hours notice.

The move will fuel speculation over his future, particularly after sources said Mr Yousaf would “come out fighting” after his former allies in government, the Scottish Greens, said they would join the other opposition parties in a vote of no confidence next week.

Scotland’s first minister battling to save job – follow live

The crisis was triggered after Mr Yousaf dramatically brought the powersharing deal with the Greens to an end on Thursday, following tensions over the SNP’s climbdown on climate targets and the decision to pause the prescription of new puberty blockers at Scotland’s only gender clinic.

The ditching of the deal means the SNP will now operate as a minority administration at Holyrood.

The Greens joining forces with the other opposition parties, means Mr Yousaf faces a knife-edge vote that ranges 64 out of 128 MSPs against him.

The SNP have 63 MSPs at Holyrood while there is also Ash Regan, a former SNP minister who defected to Alex Salmond’s Alba Party, who has not yet confirmed which way she will vote.

Her support could be crucial in getting the embattled first minister over the line.

Presiding officer Alison Johnstone can cast tie-breaking votes but would be expected to vote in favour of the status quo.

In the light of her pivotal role, Ms Regan has written to Mr Yousaf to argue that Scotland “deserves and demands a reset”.

She said her priorities were Scottish independence, “the dignity, safety and rights of women and children” and providing competent government.

She also said her “door is open” to discuss a proposed bill on holding a referendum on whether the Scottish Parliament should have the powers to hold another independence vote.

Any vote is likely to take place next week, with timings to be confirmed by parliamentary authorities.

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Politics

Tulip Siddiq faces new corruption investigation in Bangladesh

Published

4 hours ago

January 14, 2025

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Tulip Siddiq faces new corruption investigation in Bangladesh

Anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq has been named by investigators in Bangladesh who allege she was involved in the illegal allocation of land to members of her family while serving as an MP.

Sky News has obtained an affidavit – or legal written statement – filed by the anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh that accuses Ms Siddiq and others of being involved in fraudulently obtaining plots in the diplomatic zone of a development near to the country’s capital Dhaka.

The document states: “While serving as a Member of the British parliament, it is known that [Ms Siddiq] exerted pressure and influence on her aunt, the former prime minister, to take measures for the allotment of plots in the same project in the names of her mother, Mrs Rehana Siddiq, her sister Ms Azmina Siddiq, and her brother Mr Radwan Mujib Siddiq.”

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The director general of the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission Akhtar Hossain told Sky News: “Tulip Siddiq and former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina misused… power to take the plot from the Purbachal New Town Project.”

Investigators allege that planning officials were bribed and pressured into fraudulently allocating land.

A Labour source said Tulip Siddiq totally refutes the claims and had not been contacted by anyone on the matter.

The source also said no evidence had been presented for the allegations.

Tulip Siddiq had already been named in Bangladeshi court documents, also seen by Sky News, relating to alleged embezzlement from a nuclear power project in the country.

Labour sources suggested the accusations were not genuine.

That court claim was made by Bobby Hajjaj, a political opponent of Ms Siddiq’s aunt – the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Ms Hasina fled Bangladesh in August and resigned her post amid weeks of deadly protests.

The new government has since accused the previous Awami League administration of crimes and corruption while in office.

Tulip Siddiq has come under increasing pressure over her links to her aunt’s political party, with Sky News revealing she boasted about her connections to the Awami League in blog posts from 2008 and 2009.

The anti-corruption minister has also been found to have lived in several London properties with links to alleged allies of her aunt’s regime.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has since called for her to be suspended as a minister.

The UK Anti-Corruption Coalition has also said Ms Siddiq should step aside from the money laundering and economic crime brief she currently holds.

“The clear conflict of interest surrounding Tulip Siddiq presents a key test for the new government… as anti-corruption experts, it is clear to us that she should not hold responsibility for these sensitive areas in her portfolio”, said Peter Munro, senior coordinator at the anti-corruption coalition.