Former First Minster Humza Yousuf (Pictured above) has stated that he has questioned if there is a future for him or his family in Scotland or the UK following days of violent riots. 

Throughout England and Northern Ireland, rallies and riots have been ongoing for more than a week, with protests planned for Scotland in the upcoming weeks. 

Police Scotland has said that any disorder will be “identified quickly” and responded to immediately”. 

Speaking to the News Agent podcast, Yousuf said: “I was born in Scotland, raised in Scotland, educated in Scotland, and just welcomed my third child here in Scotland. (I) was leader of the Scottish government for just over a year and leader of the SNP. 

“You cut me open, and I’m about as Scottish as they come, but the truth of the matter is I don’t know whether the future for me, my wife, and my three children is going to be here in Scotland, the United Kingdom, or indeed in Europe and the West.” 

He continued: “We are now seeing the culmination of not years, actually decades of anti-migrant, anti-Muslim rhetoric being normalised in our political discourse now playing out in the most violent way possible.” 

When he became first minister in March 2023, Yousuf was the first ethnic minority leader of a devolved government and the first Muslim to lead a major UK party.

Police all over the country have been responding to violent scenes in towns and cities such as Rotherham, Middlesbrough and Bolton over the weekend. Riots also took place in Belfast and Plymouth on Monday morning. 

More than 400 people have been arrested in connection with the riots, and 100 have so far been charged. 

The violent outbreaks follow the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport. The unrest has been fuelled by misinformation online relating to the attacker. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the violence, telling ministers, “It is violent disorder and needs to be treated as such, as criminal activity.” 

As well as the riots being planned for Scotland, there are also counter-protests being planned to stand against the unrest and unjustifiable violence. 

Gary Ritchie, Assistant Chief Constable of Police Scotland, said: “We understand the violent disorder in other parts of the United Kingdom is causing concern, and we are continuing to provide reassurance to communities across the country through enhanced patrols and direct engagement. 

“We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that any potential for violence or disorder in Scotland is identified quickly and responded to immediately. 

“Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation; our role is to ensure public safety while balancing the rights of protestors who wish to demonstrate peacefully.” 

John Swinney, First Minister after Yousuf’s departure, has visited the central mosque in Edinburgh to highlight to communities that they have “the assurance of safety”. 

He added that he had met police chiefs who have reassured him that “they are undertaking comprehensive intelligence gathering 24 hours a day across social media” to ensure they are aware of any possible incidents in Scotland. 

Swinney said: “The events of the last few days have caused deep anxiety across the communities in the United Kingdom, and Scotland is no different. 

“I want to make it absolutely clear this is a welcoming country that brings people together in cohesive communities.”