Humza Yousaf denies Erdogan invitation linked to escape of wife's family from Gaza

Scottish leader has caused controversy by inviting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf during their meeting at Cop28, in Dubai. EPA

Humza Yousaf has denied claims that an invitation he extended to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Scotland was related to the help his wife’s family received from Ankara that enabled them to escape from Gaza.

The invitation has caused controversy in the UK, as it took place during a meeting between the two leaders without a UK Foreign Office official present, which breached protocol. Mr Yousaf and Mr Erdogan also spoke during the Cop28 climate summit in the UAE.

A transcript of the talks showed Mr Yousaf “invited RTE to visit Scotland during a future visit to the UK”.

Mr Yousaf’s wife, Nadia El-Nakla, later attended a summit in Turkey that brought together the spouses of international political leaders, shortly before her sister-in-law and her young children were given sanctuary in Turkey after fleeing Gaza.

A spokesman for the First Minister, speaking to journalists on Thursday, said he did not believe the invitation was “connected” to Turkey granting Ms El-Nakla's family refugee status.

Asked himself whether there was a link, Mr Yousaf replied “No”.

The December meeting with Mr Erdogan drew criticism from within Mr Yousaf's own party at the time, with SNP councillor Roza Salih saying she did not expect this from a First Minister “that says he respects human rights” over Turkey's treatment of Kurds.

Mr Yousaf defended the move, saying both countries were “on a journey” regarding human rights.

Speaking to journalists after First Minister's Questions, Mr Yousaf explained: “I said the next time he's in the United Kingdom, he should come up to Scotland.”

“Turkey is a Nato ally, why would we not wish to have a Nato ally here?”

Asked if he would raise reported human rights abuses committed by Mr Erdogan's administration against the Kurds during any future visit, Mr Yousaf said: “Yes, I would raise human rights as I tend to do whenever I have meetings with international leaders.

Scotland's Humza Yousaf through the years – in pictures

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  Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf speaks during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, where he said he will resign as Scottish National Party chief and the country's leader. PA

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  Mr Yousaf speaks to the media during a visit to Dundee in April. His appearance came as Scottish opposition parties called for a confidence vote after the collapse of his power-sharing deal with the Green Party. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf holds a press conference in Edinburgh as he announces the SNP's withdrawal from the Bute House Agreement. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf joins members of the public as they attend a march in Glasgow calling for an independent Scotland, in April. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf takes part in a dance performance during a visit to DN Studios in Edinburgh in March. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf and his new cabinet pose at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh, in February. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf speaks during the launch of the SNP general election campaign at Oran Mor in Glasgow, in January. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf during Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day at the Scottish Parliament in December. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf engages with pupils during Scotland's Book Week at Craigentinny Primary School in Edinburgh, in November. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf lays a wreath during Scotland's Remembrance Sunday Event at Edinburgh City Chambers, in November. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf with his wife Nadia El-Nakla after his speech at the SNP conference in October. PA

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  Mr Yousaf speaking at a service of solidarity at Giffnock Newton Mearns Synagogue in October. PA

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  Mr Yousaf with hundreds of supporters of Scottish independence during a march in Edinburgh in September. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf outside the Court of Session in Edinburgh, after being sworn in as First Minister of Scotland in March 2023. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf signs the nomination form to become First Minister of Scotland, watched by his wife Nadia El Nakla, daughter Amal and step-daughter Maya, in March 2023. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf speaks after being elected as new Scottish National Party leader in Edinburgh, in March 2023. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf with his mother Shaaista and father Muzaffar in Glasgow as he campaigns to become the next leader of the Scottish National Party, in February 2023. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf visits Monklands Hospital in Airdrie in 2021, when he was health secretary. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf, justice minister at the time, attends a Ministerial Statement in Edinburgh in 2020. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf with Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the ruling SNP at the time, at the count for the Scottish Parliament elections in 2016 in Glasgow. Getty Images

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  Angela Constance and Mr Yousaf after being sworn in as Scottish MPs in Edinburgh in 2016. Getty Images

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  Mr Yousaf speaks during the SNP conference in Aberdeen in 2015. Getty Images

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  Alex Salmond, SNP leader at the time, with Mr Yousaf at the Scottish Parliament in 2011. Getty Images

“But I should say, of course, we do that in a way that also recognises that we're on a human rights journey, as are other countries.”

Following Mr Yousaf's meeting with Mr Erdogan – described in minutes released to The Herald, as part of a Freedom of Information request, as “warm and friendly” – the Scottish government was chastised by Foreign Secretary David Cameron due to the lack of a Foreign Office official in attendance.

Lord Cameron went as far as to threaten to withhold co-operation with Scottish ministers who travel abroad, saying: “I remain open to discussing a constructive way forward.

“However, any further breaches of the protocol of ministerial meetings having a FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office] official present will result in no further FCDO facilitation of meetings or logistical support.

“We will also need to consider the presence of Scottish government offices in UK government posts.”

Mr Yousaf said an FCDO official had been at the “vast majority” of meetings he had during the climate summit.

The Humanist Society Scotland hit out at the invitation extended to Mr Erdogan, with chief executive Fraser Sutherland calling it “short-sighted” as Turkey has “seen a sustained attack on civil liberties and human rights”.

A UK government spokesman said: “Foreign affairs is reserved under the Scotland Act and, in such turbulent times, the need for the UK to speak on the world stage with one consistent voice is more important than ever.

“Our embassies and high commissions overseas have a strong track record of working collaboratively with the Scottish government to promote the interests of the whole UK.”