Humza Yousaf: I’ll protest against the UK rule of law in the name of justice

Former justice secretary Humza Yousaf has said he will seek to delegitimise the UK rule of law when he believes it is right to do so.

Speaking to Holyrood’s Politically Speaking podcast following protests in Glasgow’s Kenmure Street last week, Yousaf said the public looked to him as a “voice of justice”.

Last week, hundreds of members of the public gathered in Pollokshields to prevent immigration officials from deporting two Indian nationals.

Yousaf, who today became health secretary following a Cabinet re-shuffle, posted a message on Twitter on the day of the protest saying the Home Office’s so-called “hostile environment” strategy was “not welcome here”.

Asked if it was his place as justice secretary to “delegitimise” the UK rule of law, he said: “Yes, actually. I think people look to me for ensuring that I, and the Scottish Government, are the voices of justice.

“For me, there is no justice in forcible removal and a dawn raid asylum and immigration policy that is designed to create a hostile environment by its very definition.

“So just because something may be within the UK Government’s rule of law doesn’t stop me from protesting.”

Protesters during last week's protest in Kenmure Street

Yousaf added: “What I don’t say and what I wouldn’t do is suggest any illegal activity takes place from protesters, and they didn’t do that. Other than peaceful protest, nobody engaged in illegal activity and ultimately, the police resolved it through legal means, through powers that they had…”

Last week, the Home Office defended the operation, saying it was “tackling illegal immigration and the harm it causes”.

Listen to the full interview with Humza Yousaf here or wherever you get your podcasts.