Responding to media reports that UKIP MEP David Coburn made islamophobic comments comparing SNP MSP Humza Yousaf to convicted terrorist Abu Hamza, the SNP is calling for the MEP to resign or be sacked by his party. Humza Yousaf has written to UKIP leader Nigel Farage calling on him to expel Mr Coburn from the party and distance himself from the comments.
Commenting Humza Yousaf said: "I am utterly appalled, disgusted and hurt by the comments allegedly made by David Coburn MEP. This is Islamophobia of the worst kind. If this was shouted at a Muslim on the street none of us would tolerate it, the fact this abuse has come from an elected member of the European Parliament is even more shocking and completely unacceptable."
Continuing Mr Yousaf said: "Nigel Farage has been plagued by accusations of leading a racist party and this outburst from David Coburn MEP shows that UKIP are not just a party with a few rotten apples but rotten to the core. If Nigel Farage is serious about UKIP being a party that will not tolerate xenophobia in any form then I expect David Coburn to be expelled from UKIP immediately and have written to Nigel Farage in that vein.
"In politics it is not unusual for politicians to have disagreements. However, we must never allow ourselves to de dragged down into the mire of racial or religious degradation. David Coburn has been exposed making Islamophobic remarks and should do the honourable thing and resign." Humza Yousaf added.
Commenting on the reported comments First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "This is an appalling and reprehensible thing to say. For David Coburn to effectively compare Humza to a convicted terrorist because he is Muslim is disgraceful and he must surely face consequences for that. This is about the most basic standards of decency in public life - even for a party like UKIP - but there seems to be no depths below which Mr Coburn will not sink. Nigel Farage should remove him from his party."
