Justice secretary backs wife's bid to become an MSP

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf’s wife Nadia El-Nakla is making a bid to become an SNP MSP.

Ms El-Nakla wants to challenge for the North East Fife seat held by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, who won a 3465 majority with 44% of the vote in 2016.

The SNP activist, who is a caseworker for Dundee East MSP Shona Robison and works at a drugs counselling service, said it would be her “dream” to be elected to the Scottish Parliament.

Announcing her intention to stand in the National newspaper, Ms El-Nakla said: “I’m more than Humza’s wife – I’m 36, I have 20 years’ campaigning experience and ten years in the party.

“I have a politics degree, I work for an MSP. I have campaigned across the country, I have spoken at SNP conference, I have stood in the rain campaigning for Palestine since I was 14.

“We’ve only been married for three years. This is not about Humza, this is about me. This is my ambition and my dream. I am asking SNP members in North East Fife to back me.”

In a tweet ending with a love heart emoji, Mr Yousaf said: “I am exceptionally proud to call Nadia my wife, but she will stand for selection on her own merits with a very impressive track record of activism and campaigning.”

“I am biased, but she is wonderful.”