Humza Yousaf says it’s 'tough times' for his family following arrest of his brother-in-law

Humza Yousaf has said it is “tough times” for his family following the arrest of his brother-in-law and his in-laws' ordeal in Gaza.  

Ramsay El-Nakla, the brother of the first minister’s wife Nadia El-Nakla, appeared in private at Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday charged with drug offences. 

It is alleged that El-Nakla was concerned in the supply of heroin.  

Police had been called to a property in Dundee following reports of a break-in last week, where El-Nakla was arrested alongside a 50-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman.

The three individuals have also been accused of being in possession of cocaine and cannabis.  

Following that hearing El-Nakla was arrested in connection with an incident in which a man fell from a flat in Dundee on 10 January.  

Police Scotland said the man who fell from the flat was taken to hospital with serious injuries. 

The first minister was asked by LBC News if this undermined his government’s approach to drugs policy.

Yousaf said: “It is tough times, but as first minister I am not immune, I have a family, and there will be challenges that everybody will face in relation to their family.  

“In terms of the court case, I wouldn’t comment on any live court case, and I wouldn’t comment on one involving a family member.

“Our commitment to tackling drug deaths, in particular, that is unwavering and is a solid commitment, and you can see that from our budget, a really difficult budget of course because of the financial constraints imposed upon us from Westminster, but despite that, making sure we continue to fund the national mission to fight drug deaths.”