Latest news with #HumzaYousaf
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Airport responds to Yousaf in 'complicit in war crimes' row
Prestwick Airport is publicly owned, and Mr Yousaf warned that its continued use by the American air force could make Scotland complicit in war crimes. "I would hope the Scottish Government would take advice on its legal obligations and that includes planes refuelling at Prestwick. 'Scotland, including through the use of our publicly owned assets such as Prestwick, cannot be complicit," he said. READ MORE: Humza Yousaf warns Scotland could be 'complicit in war crimes' Operation Broadcroft: Police inquiry into evidence to Salmond probe 'ongoing' Analysis: John Swinney's leadership is safe – for now – as plotters fall silent Analysis: In all my Holyrood committee-watching years, I've never seen such a mauling But today Prestwick Airport responded pointing out it has been providing "services to military customers from around the world" for decades. 'Glasgow Prestwick Airport operates on a commercial basis and at arms-length from the Scottish Government," a spokeswoman said. "For almost 80 years the airport has been providing aviation services to military customers from around the world including Nato partners. We do not comment on operational matters relating to individual military customers. All aircraft landing at any aerodrome in the UK (including Glasgow Prestwick Airport) require to have Civil Aviation Authority permission to transit UK airspace or land in the UK.' Speaking to the Sunday Mail at the weekend Mr Yousaf said: 'The Scottish Government should be doing everything within its power to distance itself from Israel's illegal military actions, whether it's the assets we own, the limited foreign interventions we can make…Whatever we can do, we should be doing because this is the moral question of our time." American military aircraft are a regular sight above the skies of South Ayrshire, with US planes stopping at the airport 39 times since the start of June. The Pentagon is a powerful backer and supplier of Israel, which has been accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza. A verdict is not expected for many years. The country's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, launched a series of strikes on Iran on June 13 with US President Donald Trump confirming early on Sunday morning that his country had entered the war. Speaking in Holyrood on Wednesday External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson left the door open to the US military using Prestwick Airport for strikes on Iran – but insisted the base was not used in recent American bombing raids on the country. He refused to say whether the US Air Force would be stopped from using the state-owned Ayrshire airport, which is often used by allied militaries as a refuelling stop. Labour backbencher Carol Mochan asked whether the Scottish Government would rule out allowing America and Israel access while they carried out strikes on Iran. She said: 'Can he assure my constituents that sites like Prestwick Airport will not be used to facilitate attacks on Iran by the USA or indeed to support Israeli aircraft, given these efforts have no UN backing whatsoever? And can he be clear what US activity is currently happening at the Prestwick Airport site?' Mr Robertson said that he had 'not seen any information that would support any conclusion about involvement of Scottish facilities being used directly in terms of military attacks on Iran' saying that previous strikes did not involve the airport. American bombers were refuelled 'in the air' before bombing Iran and then returned back to the US without stopping at Prestwick, Mr Robertson said. He added: 'I understand the point she's making more generally about Prestwick Airport, if she has any information that would support the conclusion, the concern that she has, I would be grateful to hear that. 'We remain in dialogue with the UK Government – her party is in government in the UK, perhaps she would take the opportunity through her good offices to raise this with responsible UK ministers. In terms of devolved responsibilities, we will do everything that we can but she will appreciate that there are limits.' Later asked by Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr whether there were any formal arrangements with the US to allow military access to Prestwick Airport, Mr Robertson replied: 'I would have to check the status. 'I'm not aware of any memoranda of understanding but he will appreciate it's a matter of public record Prestwick Airport is used by the US Air Force, the Canadian Royal Airforce, a number of air forces from the Middle East.' Kenny MacAskill, leader of the Alba Party, said that the Scottish Government must ban American military planes from using the site. In a statement, he said: 'It's not Kneecap or Palestine Action who are the threat to our society and planet but those complicit in the genocide and war. We should be ceasing fuelling US war planes at Prestwick not deplatforming an Irish rap band at a music event.' A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'It is vital that the UK Government and the international community take action to de-escalate the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East and work towards peace, without which there could be disastrous implications. 'Glasgow Prestwick Airport operates on a commercial basis and at arm's length from the Scottish Government. Operational decisions regarding the day-to-day running of the airport are a matter for its management.' An SNP spokesman said Mr Yousaf had nothing further to say.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
What issues would you like to read about in the Glasgow Times?
But we know we could do even better. This is why we are asking our readers to share their suggestions on what problems or questions our reporters should investigate. We take pride in our stories, which have real-life effects on Glaswegians. Glasgow Times journalist Stewart Paterson speaking to Humza Yousaf (Image: Newsquest) We frequently explore social issues such as the lack of social housing, the frightening homelessness crisis and the rocketing drug deaths. Regularly, we cover Glasgow's High Court and Sheriff Court, and we have looked at youth crime, alcohol-related offending, as well as the state of Glasgow's prisons. You will also often read about local issues, such as fly-tipping, demolitions and housing developments, the city's restaurant scene and politics. So, tell us, what would you like to read (more of) in your local newspaper?
The National
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
V&A Dundee hosts Palestinian embroidery exhibition
Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine will be hosted in V&A Dundee and will explore the practice of Tatreez – a hand-embroidery technique which tells stories of women's identities, grief and changing lives. Featuring over 30 historical dresses alongside veils, jewellery, accessories, and archival photos, the exhibition – drawn from the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit and the V&A – explores Palestinian dress from the late 19th century to today. READ MORE: Children dying of thirst in Gaza as territory hits 'rock bottom', Unicef says A dress worn by Nadia El-Nakla (below), Dundee City councillor and wife of former First Minister Humza Yousaf, is also set to be featured in the exhibit. She wore the thobe when Yousaf was sworn into Bute House as a nod to her Palestinian heritage. Councillor Nadia El-Nakla's own dress will appear alongside 29 others in the exhibition (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) She said: 'I am delighted to welcome Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine to V&A Dundee. 'Design and culture are peaceful and powerful forms of resistance and solidarity. Palestinian fashion and dress express ideas about who we have been, who we are and the lives we want to live in peace and with dignity. 'This exhibition is opening at a time of extreme pain and suffering. It's bringing design from Palestine to life and tells the stories of women's lives in Palestine. 'I am proud that my dress, or thobe, that I wore at the Scottish Parliament is there as an expression of my Scottish-Palestinian identity, and as a symbol of solidarity, hope and peace.' Tatreez is recognised by the United Nations on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the exhibition explores how this embroidery has shaped Palestinian national identity over the course of the twentieth century and has evolved into a form of resistance and solidarity. The exhibition also celebrates 45 years of Dundee's twin city relationship with Nablus. Considered an act of radicalism in 1980, Dundee was the first city in the UK to be partnered with a Palestinian region and has displayed the flag of Palestine at its City Chambers since. Thread Memory also highlights the historic connection between Scotland and Palestine through Nabulsi dress and material from Dundee collections and Palestinian archives, whilst spotlighting Gaza with historical dresses – including one damaged in the 2023 bombing of the Rafah Museum – honouring Palestinian creativity and resilience amid cultural devastation imposed by the ongoing genocide carried out by Israel. READ MORE: 14-year-old Scot wins prestigious award after being bullied while out filming Leonie Bell, director of V&A Dundee, said: 'Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine is an exhibition that, through research, collections and partnership, explores the traditions and material culture of Palestinian dress and the vast range of regional styles that tell important stories about the lives of the women who made, adapted and wore these dresses, jewellery, headdresses and accessories. 'The exhibition also explores the 45-year-old connection between Dundee and Nablus, a twinning relationship that has brought these two cities together, and it celebrates contemporary Palestinian design and creativity from Dundee, Scotland and across the UK.' Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine opens to the public on June 26 and will be on show until spring 2026.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
'Vital' Palestine dress exhibition linked to Humza Yousaf's wife Nadia El-Nakla to open at V&A Dundee
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... An exhibition of Palestinian traditional dress is to go on show in Scotland, marking the 45th anniversary of a 'radical' twinning of a Scottish city with one in the West Bank. Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine will open on Thursday at the V&A Dundee. The display on the history of tatreez – the elaborate hand-embroidery that tells stories of women's identities, grief and changing lives - brings together more than 30 historical dresses from Palestine, alongside veils and headdresses, jewellery and accessories, and archival photography. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The exhibition has been created in collaboration with the Palestine Museum in Birzeit in the West Bank. The showcase includes an embroidered dress worn by Dundee city councillor Nadia El-Nakla at the Scottish Parliament in 2023 for the swearing-in ceremony of her husband, former first minister Humza Yousaf. Councillor Nadia El-Nakla, wife of First Minister Humza Yousaf. Image: Jane Barlow/Press Association. Ms El-Nakla has family who were in Gaza when the recent conflict began in October 2023, including her parents, who were visiting her brother. The family was eventually able to flee through the Rafah Crossing into neighbouring Egypt, where they were able to fly back home to Scotland. Dundee was twinned with Nablus, Palestine in the 1980s - the first UK city to be officially twinned with a city in the territories. The V&A said the twinning was considered by many at the time to be a 'radical act'. Since then, the Palestinian flag has been displayed at the City Chambers in Dundee, even during periods when the flag was outlawed within Palestine. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Detail of dress from Ramallah | © Victoria and Albert Museum, Lo Telling the story of the historic connection between Scotland and Palestine, the exhibition also shines a spotlight on Gaza, showcasing spectacular historical dresses from villages across the region, including a dress damaged in the bombing of the Rafah Museum in 2023. Leonie Bell, director of V&A Dundee, said: 'Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine is an exhibition that through research, collections and partnership explores the traditions and material culture of Palestinian dress and the vast range of regional styles that tell important stories about the lives of the women who made, adapted and wore these dresses, jewellery, headdresses and accessories. 'The exhibition also explores the 45-year-old connection between Dundee and Nablus, a twinning relationship that has brought these two cities together, and it celebrates contemporary Palestinian design and creativity from Dundee, Scotland and across the UK.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The exhibition culminates in an exploration of embroidered dress today, including looks from contemporary Palestinian fashion designers building upon inherited cultural traditions. Work by contemporary artists engaging with tatreez will sit in conversation with the traditional dress on display, alongside interviews with Palestinian embroiderers. The embroidered dress lent by Nadia El-Nakla, worn at the swearing-in ceremony of her husband, Humza Yousaf as first minister. | Copyright - Grant Anderson / / @grantandersondotme Ms El-Nakla said: 'I am delighted to welcome Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine to V&A Dundee. Design and culture are peaceful and powerful forms of resistance and solidarity. Palestinian fashion and dress express ideas about who we have been, who we are and the lives we want to live in peace and with dignity.'
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Police ban Palestine Action protest from Westminster
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to announce the plans in a ministerial statement on Monday, which would effectively treat Palestine Action as a terrorist group and would make it illegal for people to join or express support. It comes after the group posted footage online showing two people inside the base at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. READ MORE: Scotland could be 'complicit in war crimes' by allowing US to use Prestwick Airport The clip shows one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appearing to spray paint into its jet engine. Reports of plans to proscribe the group have received widespread criticism, with Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie branding it "deeply authoritarian", while former first minister Humza Yousaf said: "If the UK Government believes those protesting against the atrocities in Gaza are terrorists, but those killing children should be supported and provided with weapons, then this Government has not only lost its way, it has lost its conscience." Former first minster Humza Yousaf speaking after a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in London on Saturday (Image: Jeff Moore) The SNP have also opposed the move, telling The National: "It is absolutely vital that legitimate expressions of support for Palestine and the Palestinian people are not criminalised.' An emergency protest was organised in London on Monday in response to the reports, backed by more than 30 groups including Campaign Against Arms Trade and Stop The War Coalition. Yet while the protest was initially meant to take place outside the UK Parliament from 12pm, Palestine Action said the location had been changed to Trafalgar Square after claiming the Metropolitan Police had "banned" it from taking place outside Westminster. The Metropolitan police are trying to deter support from Palestine Action, by banning the protest from taking place at the Houses of Parliament. Don't let them win! Make sure everyone is aware of the location change to Trafalgar Square, London. Mobilise from 12PM. — Palestine Action (@Pal_action) June 23, 2025 On Sunday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley released a statement saying he was "shocked and frustrated" by the planned demonstration. READ MORE: Richard McNeil-Willson: Proscription of Palestine Action has frightening implications Branding Palestine Action an "organised extremist criminal group", he said that the Met Police had "no power in law" to prevent the protest from taking place until the group is proscribed. Responding to the statement, Palestine Action wrote on Twitter/X: "The British state want to proscribe Palestine Action and simultaneously ban people from protesting it in support of us at Parliament where the decision is ultimately made? "And they call us undemocratic and extreme?" The Met Police have been contacted for comment.
