Race-hate death threats to Humza probed by police
Abuse almost drove justice minister to quit
JUSTICE Secretary Humza Yousaf has had to call in police after receiving death threats – including that he would be ‘butchered’.
The MSP also received an email saying that he and his family should be ‘firebombed’.
The threats came after a video was posted on the website of a Canadian Right-wing media platform, Rebel News.
It features founder Ezra Levant criticising Mr Yousaf over Scotland’s controversial Hate Crime Bill, which has been criticised as an attack on free speech.
Mr Yousaf, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, admitted he had contemplated leaving politics over the abuse he has received but intends to stand firm as quitting would hand victory to those who perpetrate hatred.
‘I can’t really remember a time when there hasn’t been racist abuse but, generally speaking, it has not been particularly violent or threatening,’ he told the Daily Record yesterday.
‘What is different about the recent emails is the clear depiction of violence towards myself and towards my family.
‘I know 99 per cent of the time these are keyboard warriors but the concern is, could there be that 1 per cent that actually are unhinged enough to act upon the threats?
‘For the first time, I had the fleeting thought “I just don’t know if doing the job I do is worth putting my family at potential risk”.’
The Justice Secretary said he has been ‘shaken’ by the threats, but added: ‘I fully intend to stand, but it is the first time I have contemplated otherwise.’
Police Scotland said it had ‘received a complaint of offensive communications and inquiries are ongoing’.
Rebel News’s Mr Levant said: ‘Obviously I oppose violence and the threat of violence, and my video is completely peaceful. The proper thing to do, if a particular threat seems real, is to report it to the police.’
Earlier this week the Justice Secretary promised MSPs that he would consider whether or not changes should be made to the Bill.
However, Mr Yousaf stressed that he wanted the controversial new hate crime legislation to ‘be a force for good’.
Recognising ‘particular concerns’ that had been raised, Mr Yousaf confirmed he would ‘reflect on whether there needs to be changes made and how these could be done in an appropriate and effective way’.
His comments came after grave concerns were raised by lawyers, the Catholic Church and the Scottish Police Federation.
Fears have also been voiced by actor Rowan Atkinson, crime writer Val McDermid and Rab C Nesbitt star Elaine C Smith, who warned the proposed new offence of ‘stirring up hatred’ could stifle freedom of expression.
This week, historian Neil Oliver said that the Bill could leave him facing a prison sentence for having strong opinions.
Last month, Scotland’s Catholic bishops warned possessing the Bible could become an offence under the proposed legislation, while the organisation that represents Scottish police officers insisted it could ‘paralyse freedom of speech in Scotland’.
‘Depiction of violence’