Humza Yousaf reveals he carries attack alarm over fears for his safety after racist threats
The Scottish Transport Minister insists the abuse has gotten worse since the Brexit vote and Donald Trump's election as US President
HUMZA Yousaf has revealed he carries an alarm over fears for his safety after racist threats.
A snap of the Scots politician and his family was posted online with the caption "Yet another problem that a machine gun would solve".
The Scottish Transport Minister claims he has also had to beef up security at his house and his office.
He insists the abuse has gotten worse since the Brexit vote and Donald Trump's election as US President.
Mr Yousaf, the MSP for Glasgow Pollok, told the Sunday Herald newspaper: "I get worried about my family.
"I've had a private briefing from police on the back of reporting some incidents.
"They said these are the steps that you might want to take to protect your constituency office and so forth.
"It's not a place you want to be in. But I've had to take all those steps.
"I carry a personal alarm. I just do that par for the course and carry it in my jacket. I shouldn't have a need to carry it."
He added: "During Brexit and post-Brexit it's got worse without a shadow of doubt.
"Frankly, part of it is not helped by the polarised debate around faith, whether that's in Europe or across the pond in the United States.
"It has exacerbated things. Brexit is a horrible example of that, with the rhetoric and anti-immigration tone."
The MSP spoke out after Labour MSP Anas Sarwar claimed he was racially abused when standing for leader last year.
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The Glasgow MSP, who lost out to Richard Leonard, told how an elected councillor said he couldn't support a "brown, Muslim P**i".
Mr Sarwar said on Twitter: "You are right to speak out @HumzaYousaf. Don't listen to those that will undoubtedly claim "race card", do whataboutery or send more abuse.
"They inadvertently prove that everyday racism and Islamophobia exists."