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MEP's remarks 'a joke in poor taste', says Farage MEP's remarks 'a joke in poor taste', says Farage
(35 minutes later)
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said his party's Scottish MEP should not have compared a Scottish government minister with a convicted terrorist.UKIP leader Nigel Farage said his party's Scottish MEP should not have compared a Scottish government minister with a convicted terrorist.
Mr Farage said he thought David Coburn's remarks were a "joke in poor taste" but he would not be taking any action against him.Mr Farage said he thought David Coburn's remarks were a "joke in poor taste" but he would not be taking any action against him.
In a newspaper interview, Mr Coburn is alleged to have said: "Humza Yousaf, or as I call him, Abu Hamza".In a newspaper interview, Mr Coburn is alleged to have said: "Humza Yousaf, or as I call him, Abu Hamza".
Mr Yousaf has called for European officials to discipline the MEP. Mr Yousaf called for European officials to discipline the MEP.
Scotland's minister for external affairs and international development told BBC Scotland the comment was "Islamophobic" and "among the worst racial slurs" he had ever received.Scotland's minister for external affairs and international development told BBC Scotland the comment was "Islamophobic" and "among the worst racial slurs" he had ever received.
Mr Yousaf, an SNP MSP for Glasgow, has written to the European Parliament president Martin Schulz calling for Mr Coburn's remarks to be investigated and for disciplinary action to be taken as appropriate. The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, condemned the remarks, saying they were "not worthy of any elected member".
Scotland's five other MEPs from across the political spectrum have also written to Mr Schulz backing Mr Yousaf's call for an investigation. But the spokesman said the president could not act on remarks made outside parliament.
Radical cleric Abu Hamza was sentenced to life in prison for a string of terrorism offences by a judge in New York in January, after being extradited from the UK.Radical cleric Abu Hamza was sentenced to life in prison for a string of terrorism offences by a judge in New York in January, after being extradited from the UK.
Hamza, who previously lived in London, was jailed in the UK for seven years in 2006 for soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred.Hamza, who previously lived in London, was jailed in the UK for seven years in 2006 for soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred.
The comments were reportedly made over the telephone to Daily Mail reporter Alan Roden during a conversation about the BBC Scotland's Big Immigration Debate, which took place earlier this week. Mr Coburn's comments were reportedly made over the telephone to Daily Mail reporter Alan Roden during a conversation about the BBC Scotland's Big Immigration Debate, which took place earlier this week.
Mr Coburn is reported to have said: "Humza Yousaf, or as I call him, Abu Hamza, didn't seem to turn up." The MEP is reported to have said: "Humza Yousaf, or as I call him, Abu Hamza, didn't seem to turn up."
Earlier this week a UKIP spokesman denied the comparison had been made and said it was a "slip of the tongue" on Mr Coburn's part.Earlier this week a UKIP spokesman denied the comparison had been made and said it was a "slip of the tongue" on Mr Coburn's part.
But Mr Roden said it was neither a misunderstanding or "a joke".But Mr Roden said it was neither a misunderstanding or "a joke".
Speaking on BBC Scotland's Scotland 2015 programme on Monday, he said: "David, unsolicited, named Humza Yousaf and used this phrase. It was not banter in a pub, even though it was a chat between a journalist and a politician. It's very serious indeed."Speaking on BBC Scotland's Scotland 2015 programme on Monday, he said: "David, unsolicited, named Humza Yousaf and used this phrase. It was not banter in a pub, even though it was a chat between a journalist and a politician. It's very serious indeed."
Speaking on the BBC's Daily Politics programme Mr 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.Speaking on the BBC's Daily Politics programme Mr 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.
When asked if he would be taking action against Mr Coburn he said: "People do make mistakes. I don't think David Coburn should have done that. But am I going to get terribly exercised about it? No."When asked if he would be taking action against Mr Coburn he said: "People do make mistakes. I don't think David Coburn should have done that. But am I going to get terribly exercised about it? No."
Mr Yousaf has written to Mr Farage demanding that Mr Coburn, who is Scotland's only UKIP MEP, is expelled from the party.Mr Yousaf has written to Mr Farage demanding that Mr Coburn, who is Scotland's only UKIP MEP, is expelled from the party.
The SNP MSP said he was taking legal advice on the matter.The SNP MSP said he was taking legal advice on the matter.