A Scottish nursery says it has faced “disgusting abuse” from people confusing it with a Broughty Ferry firm at the centre of a discrimination row involving Health Secretary Humza Yousaf.
Police are investigating calls and messages sent to Little Scholars in East Kilbride in the wake of claims made by Mr Yousaf and wife Nadia El-Nakla.
The politician says his daughter was refused a place at a nursery of the same name in Broughty Ferry while children with “non-ethnic” names were offered spaces.
After publication of the claims – which the Dundee nursery strongly denies – Little Scholars in East Kilbride says it was targeted by people who mistakenly thought Mr Yousaf’s allegations centred on the business in South Lanarkshire.
‘We have received a lot of abuse’
Manager Ann Marie Kennedy said: “We are in no way associated with the nursery in the news articles.
“We have received quite a lot of hate and abuse in the last 24 hours in a case of mistaken identity.”
The nursery has accused Mr Yousaf for not being clear enough in Twitter posts about the issue – although he did not name the nursery in question.
Ms Kennedy added: “We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse and equal nursery who welcomes everyone and we would just like our name cleared.
“We have passed all the information we have on to the police.”
We have recieved numerous racist accusations by telephone, emails, facebook and website comments as well as a distrubing voice message today.
— Ann Marie Kennedy (@AnnMarieKenned1) August 2, 2021
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.40 pm on Monday August 3, a report was made to police with regard to calls and online communications received by a nursery in Scholars Gate, East Kilbride.
“Inquiries into the report are continuing.”