Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has declared his support for his wife Nadia El-Nakla, who has announced she is seeking the SNP’s nomination to stand for Holyrood.
El-Nakla said she wants to challenge for the North East Fife seat held by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, who won a 3,465 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, El-Nakla said: “I’m more than Humza’s wife – I’m 36, I have 20 years’ campaigning experience and 10 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, 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.”
