Former Scottish first minister Yousaf faces review over £250k Gaza funding

However, the first minister faced accusations that his interference in the allocation of aid process amounted to a conflict of interest, as well as questions over whether his actions breached the ministerial code.

Mr Yousaf’s in-laws travelled to Gaza in early October to visit relatives but became stranded when the war began. Border crossings in and out of Gaza were shut after Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel on October 7, murdering some 1,200 people and taking more than 240 hostages.

The Scottish Ministerial Code states that ministers “must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise”.

Earlier this year, Britain, the United States and several other countries suspended their funding to UNRWA after 12 of its workers were sacked following accusations by Israel that they participated in the October 7 attacks. The UN also launched its own inquiry into the claims.

In a statement at the time, the Foreign Office said the UK was “appalled” by the claims that UNRWA staff were involved in a “heinous act of terrorism”, adding that it would temporarily pause any future funding while it reviewed the allegations. British funding to UNRWA remains suspended.

Mr Yousaf was forced to quit as first minister in April after it became clear that he would lose a vote of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament.

His leadership had started to unravel following his decision to scrap the Scottish National Party’s coalition deal with the Scottish Greens.