Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has been criticised by several activistic groups, including the Humanist Society of Scotland (HSS), for speaking to Sir Brian Souter, the Christian multimillionaire.
The criticism comes after it was revealed that Yousaf spoke with Souter, co-founder of UK transport company, Stagecoach, following his victory in the Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership election. It also emerged that Souter had helped him set up a dinner in Edinburgh to improve relations between the government and Scottish business leaders last summer.
The HSS have said that Yousaf has ‘serious questions’ to answer, while Scottish Green Party (who are in coalition with the SNP) leader, Patrick Harvie has said the Government must be clear that it ‘does not share the values’ of Souter.
Souter is very public about his Christian faith, and unsuccessfully fought to keep section 28, which prohibited the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities, as law in the early 2000s, when suggestions for its repeal were made by the Scottish Government.
The businessman had been one of the SNP’s biggest financial supporters during Alex Salmond’s tenure as leader but made no donations to the party when it was led by Nicola Sturgeon. Yousaf now seems to have brought him back into the fold, saying he is a successful businessman and that their relationship is strictly a business one.
Souter declined to comment for en, but a spokesperson for Souter has previously said that he is ‘unashamedly Christian and contributes to a wide range of secular and faith-based causes, which form the bedrock of a strong, free and civilised society for the good of all.’
