Humza Yousaf says Britain’s riots have left him unsure if his family should remain in the UK as former Scottish first minister hits out at rising Islamophobia

Humza Yousaf has revealed Britain’s riots crisis is making him unsure if his family should remain in the UK.

The former SNP leader, who was Scotland’s first Muslim first minster, described the scenes of violence across towns and cities as ‘horrendous’.

He said he had worried ‘for some time’ about rising Islamophobia in Britain and claimed the ‘language of the far-right’ had ‘become institutionalised in our politics’.

Mr Yousaf replaced Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland’s first minister in March last year, but quit in May after little more than a year in the job.

Humza Yousaf has revealed Britain’s riots crisis is making him unsure if his family should remain in the UK

Mr Yousaf pictured with his wife Nadia El-Nakla, daughter Amal, and step-daughter Maya (left) in March last year. The couple welcomed the arrival of a baby girl last month

He told The News Agents podcast: ‘You cut me open, I’m as about as Scottish as you come.

‘But the truth of the matter is, I don’t know whether the future for me and my wife and my three children is going to be here in Scotland or the United Kingdom.

‘Or indeed in Europe and the West because I have for some time really worried about the rise of Islamophobia.’

Mr Yousaf hit out at politicians such as Tory former home secretary Suella Braverman and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

He said rioters were ‘going after people who are black, who are Asian, who are Muslim and that, again, comes back to some of the language that’s been used far too often in our politics about people not adopting our values’.

Mr Farage has denied that his comments have contributed to the recent outbreak of violence on Britain’s streets.

He instead claimed it was fuelled by the authorities not providing enough details about the identity of the suspect in last week’s Southport stabbing attack.

Mr Yousaf’s comments were echoed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said ‘black, brown and minority’ people did not feel safe in some parts of the country.

In a series of tweets, Mr Khan said: ‘Our communities are facing the threat of hatred – including violence – fuelled by insidious racism, prejudice, and Islamophobia.

‘It’s the legacy of decades of dog whistles, including from some irresponsible politicians.

‘We all bear not just the responsibility, but also the duty to stand up to hate. To be vocal. To be allies to those who are being unjustly targeted – online and off.

‘To our Black, Brown and minority communities: NEVER forget that you are loved and wanted in London.’