FORMER first minister Humza Yousaf has said that far too many politicians from across the political spectrum have “normalised” and “increasingly adopted” the language of the far-right.
The SNP MSP’s comments come as far-right riots have spread across England following the spread of misinformation over the knife attack in Southport which killed three young girls and left several others in critical condition.
Yousaf told the Sunday National that those in power have tried to “appease” the far-right for too long.
"From anti-immigrant rhetoric to indulging in Islamophobia, far too many politicians from across the political spectrum have normalised and increasingly adopted the language of the far-right,” he said.
Numerous Tory MPs have retweeted far-right figures including Tommy Robinson in the past.
Former home secretary Suella Braverman was criticised in 2022 for referring to migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats as an “invasion”.
More recently, The National reported on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s speech to MPs last week, where she blamed the previous Tory government’s handling of the asylum system for huge cuts and referred to the need to “remove those with no right to be here”.
The Muslim Council of Britain raised concerns in May of allegations of Islamophobia coming out of the party, with a Labour NEC member, Mish Rahman, also calling for an inquiry in October last year.
"Instead of confronting the far-right, many of those in power have tried to appease them. As we know from history, appeasement doesn't work. It has only allowed hate preachers like Tommy Robinson to gain popularity," Yousaf added.
Robinson has been among a number of far-right figures promoting a “pro-UK” demonstration in George Square on September 7 this year, which has led to the organisation of counter-protests amid fears the far-right violence seen in Southport and across England could spread.
A Muslim group has also expressed concerns that mosques in Glasgow could be targeted amid growing anxiety in the community.
“It is time that those who use violence to intimidate the public and promote their racist ideology feel the full force of the law,” Yousaf said – highlighting his recent letter to the Home Secretary.
In the letter to Yvette Cooper on Wednesday, he urged her to proscribe the English Defence League and its “offshoots” under terrorism legislation, making it illegal to be a member of the groups.
Yousaf also said in the letter that the UK has a “far-right problem”.
Angela Rayner (below) suggested the Home Secretary will “be looking at” at the issue, in comments to LBC.
"We have laws and we have proscribed groups and we do look at that and it is reviewed regularly,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“So I'm sure that that will be something that the Home Secretary will be looking at as part of the normal course of what we do and the intelligence that we have.”
Also reacting to the possibility of far-right protests, Yousaf said he fully supported those who counter-protest.
“Scotland, and Glasgow in particular, has a strong history of standing up to racism in all its forms,” he said.
“I fully support efforts to organise a peaceful counter-protest to reclaim our streets and tell the racists and fascists of the far-right that they are not welcome here."
