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UKIP MEP David Coburn apologises for Abu Hamza comment | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Scotland MEP David Coburn says he has apologised for comparing a Scottish government minister to a convicted terrorist. | |
In a newspaper interview the UKIP member said: "Humza Yousaf, or as I call him, Abu Hamza". | |
In a comment to BBC Scotland he said: "I've apologised profusely for it. It was a stupid thing to say. It was an inappropriate joke." | |
Mr Yousaf has 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. |
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said Mr Coburn's remarks were a "joke in poor taste" but he would not be taking any action against him. | |
Analysis | Analysis |
Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland political correspondent | Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland political correspondent |
UKIP said David Coburn had apologised to Humza Yousaf. | |
They said he would be making no further comment on what a spokesman described as a "non-story". | They said he would be making no further comment on what a spokesman described as a "non-story". |
But that's unlikely to be the last word on the matter. | But that's unlikely to be the last word on the matter. |
Mr Yousaf said he was taking "legal advice" to see if he could pursue a complaint under legislation against race or religious hatred. | Mr Yousaf said he was taking "legal advice" to see if he could pursue a complaint under legislation against race or religious hatred. |
It has also emerged that the Scottish government is inviting MSPs to vote to express their disapproval. | It has also emerged that the Scottish government is inviting MSPs to vote to express their disapproval. |
Cabinet minister Alex Neil has tabled an amendment to a motion celebrating Scotland's diverse communities. | Cabinet minister Alex Neil has tabled an amendment to a motion celebrating Scotland's diverse communities. |
It says parliament "unites in condemning the recent comments by David Coburn MEP". | It says parliament "unites in condemning the recent comments by David Coburn MEP". |
MSPs will decide on Wednesday whether or not to endorse that rebuke to Scotland's most outspoken Euro MP. | MSPs will decide on Wednesday whether or not to endorse that rebuke to Scotland's most outspoken Euro MP. |
The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, condemned the remarks, saying they were "not worthy of any elected member". | The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, condemned the remarks, saying they were "not worthy of any elected member". |
But the spokesman said the president could not act on remarks made outside parliament. | 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. |
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'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. |
The MEP 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. |