Are Ukip racist?
Apparently it is not a sackable offence for their member of the European Parliament, and candidate for Falkirk in the general election, David Coburn, to compare Scottish Government minister for External Affairs and International Development, Humza Yousaf MSP, to a convicted terrorist. Mr Coburn said: “Humza Yousaf, or as I call him, Abu Hamza.”
His comment was overtly racist, not to mention Islamaphobic and laden with bigotry. Whether you think he and his party UKIP are racist, too, you will need to decide for yourself. Humza Yousaf, on the other hand, is one of the most decent blokes I know and actively celebrates Scotland’s rich diversity and there is much to celebrate. I first met him nine years ago when he was interning for Alex Salmond. I was a young press officer for the SNP and Humza ably helped me out on the campaign trail for the Moray by-election after Margaret Ewing’s sad passing.
Two good things happened on that campaign: Richard Lochhead won the by-election hands down and I got to know Humza, someone I am proud to call a friend.
For the last nine years Humza, through sheer hard graft and talent, has become a leading light in the SNP. He is highly regarded in Holyrood and has friends from across the political spectrum a testament to his character. And all of this at the tender age of 29.
When asked about the incident on the BBC’s Daily Politics programme UKIP Leader, Nigel Farage said: “I haven’t spoken to David Coburn about it. I can only guess he’s either saying he’s a terrorist or he’s telling a joke in poor taste. I suspect it’s a joke in poor taste … But am I going to get terribly exercised about it? No.” This response is arrogant, insincere and reveals the true colours of UKIP.
If a leader of any political party in Scotland or the UK (bar the BNP), had someone in their party who made such racist comments they would be sacked immediately.
Holyrood yesterday united to condemn David Coburn’s religious hatred and many politicians have called for him to resign, including Humza Yousaf, who has written to Mr Farage demanding that Mr Coburn, who is Scotland’s only UKIP MEP, is expelled from the party.
The president of the European Parliament has also condemned the remarks but can’t rebuke the MEP as the comments were made outside parliament.
Mr Yousaf is also taking legal advice on the matter and I look forward to the outcome of that.
After days of showing no remorse, Mr Coburn yesterday apologised to Humza Yousaf. But the problem is he doesn’t really seem sorry. He is just sorry for being caught out.
David Coburn has a history of targeting the SNP. He has called the SNP racist and two months ago hit the headlines by claiming that Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon would be “hanging from lampposts” if there had been a yes vote in the independence referendum.
Across the UK, UKIP has regularly been in the spotlight for racist comments.
Andre Lampitt, who featured in an UKIP election broadcast, was suspended from the party after a string of Islamophobic tweets emerged. William Henwood said that comedian and actor Lenny Henry should emigrate to a “black country” and compared Islam to the Third Reich. Nigel Farage even said in The Guardian that British people should be wary of Romanians moving into their street.
There is a nasty core bubbling away unchecked at the centre of UKIP. Mr Coburn’s religious hatred and his party’s failure to treat it with any form of seriousness is a worrying indicator that they are comfortable being associated with these dangerous attitudes.
Humza deserves better, and Scotland deserves better. We should not be represented by anyone with these views. The Muslim Council of Scotland (MCS) said Mr Coburn is “not fit to represent Scottish people in the European Parliament”. I wholeheartedly agree.
Challenged on his comments at a debate hosted by the Church of Scotland in London on Tuesday night, Coburn said: “People in UKIP, we are not professional politicians. We are human, we make errors.”
Well, Mr Coburn, I have news for you you are paid by the public purse to be a professional politician. Given you are not prepared to act like one; it’s time to clear off.
Mr Coburn may have belatedly apologised after a media furore but his party hasn’t shown a hint of remorse. Until they do, it demonstrates why Mr Farage and his party are not fit for office. I look forward to the election results in Scotland showing they have no place here.
In turn, David Cameron must show they have no place in any future government by ruling out any post-election deal with them.
Time is running out for Mr Farage to prove he and his party are remotely credible. Sacking David Coburn would be his most credible move yet.