Yousaf ’s wife sues nursery ‘that denied her girl place’

HEALTH Secretary Humza Yousaf’s wife has launched legal proceedings against a nursery she and her husband claim discriminated against their daughter.

Mr Yousaf and Nadia El-Nakla applied for a place for two-yearold Amal at the Little Scholars Day Nursery in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, but were told there was no space.

But just two days later a white friend of the couple was told there were spaces for her son on three afternoons every week. The couple reported the nursery to the Care Inspectorate and instructed solicitor Aamer Anwar to initiate legal proceedings, which are now being taken to court.

A statement issued by Mr Anwar said: ‘On August 9, a claim was intimated on the Little Scholars Day Nursery, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, for a breach of the Equality Act 2010, in respect of alleged discrimination suffered by Nadia El-Nakla and her daughter, Amal Yousaf.

‘We received a response from those acting for the nursery on Monday, August 23. This response refutes that there has been any discriminatory behaviour, but fails to provide a reasoned explanation as to why there were repeated refusals to accommodate children with Muslim/minority ethnic names, whilst children with white/Scottish names were offered nursery places.

‘This is all despite the fact that other bodies including the Care Inspectorate and the Equality and Human Rights Commission have expressed an interest in this case.

‘Under the circumstances, Nadia El-Nakla has no option but to proceed with court action.’

Mr Anwar previously said the nursery had been given until Monday to provide full settlement proposals, a public apology and compensation to be paid to an ‘antiracist charity of our client’s choosing’ or court action would be raised at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Mr Yousaf contacted the Daily Record, which submitted fake queries from a Muslim family and white family, with the same results as before.

A spokesman for Little Scholars said: ‘A full and detailed response to the allegations made by Humza Yousaf and Nadia El-Nakla has been provided, however, we have yet to receive a response or even an acknowledgement to this. We refute the claims made by Mr Yousaf and Ms El-Nakla and any proceedings raised will be robustly defended.’

‘No option but to proceed’