The leader of the SNP has been told to “stick to bin collections” after he attempted to wade into foreign policy by blasting the British Government for strikes against forces in Yemen that had attacked Royal Navy ships with drones.
Despite British servicemen and women, as well as commercial shipping, being attacked by the weapons sent from Houthi forces, Mr Yousaf said the UK did not have a “good track record when it comes to military intervention”.
He added that the House of Commons should have been recalled before the successful RAF strikes were authorised in retaliation to the drone attacks in the Red Sea.
Iran-backed Houthi forces have been ramping up attacks in the vital shipping lane and attacked the Royal Navy vessel HMS Diamond on Wednesday, with the crew vailantly responding and repelling the onslaught.
In response to the attacks on British forces the RAF launched four Typhoon FGR4s on Thursday night to bomb Houthi forces inside Yemen.
As a devolved administration leader, Mr Yousaf has no say on UK foreign policy or military decisions but speaking to SNP supporters at the party’s 2024 election campaign launch in Glasgow on Friday he blasted military action.
Despite attacks by Houthis on a Royal Navy vessel this week, Mr Yousaf added that he needed “evidence of the legal basis” for “the reasons for military intervention”.
He added: “The UK, let’s be honest about this, does not have a good track record when it comes to military intervention, particularly in the Middle East.
“That is why the House of Commons should have been recalled today, ahead of military action that was taken, in order to allow for MPs to debate and scrutinise the UK Government’s plans for military action.”
But responding to Mr Yousaf’s blustering speech on X, formerly known as Twitter, users were quick to point out he has no say over UK international military action and that he should stick to sorting “bin collections”.
One witty person wrote: “This is like the mayor of Lambeth talking foreign policy, focus on timely bin collections my guy.”
Another added the First Minister “has no good track record on bin collections, ferries and infrastructure. Therefore the Scottish parliament must meet today to discuss.”
Piling onto the mockery, someone else claimed: “The SNP don’t have a good track record with finances, time to recall parliament and get serious politicians in Scotland.”
