Racist admits sending abusive tweet to Scottish Minister, Humza Yousaf

Categories: Latest News
Friday November 20 2015
The Daily Record reports that a man suspected of sending Scottish Government Minister, Humza Yousaf, a racist message on Twitter has admitted doing so.
Johnathan McAuley, 20, sent a tweet to Mr Yousaf in March 2015, in response to an exchange about former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson. McAuley wrote: “Your [sic] a p***. Don’t tell us white guys what we can and can’t do.” Mr Yousaf replied: “Will be reporting to police.”
Mr McAuley responded with the message: “I really couldn’t give a flying f*** lad.”
He later tweeted to imply a friend had posted the comments.
Mr Yousaf replied: “I have reported the matter to police and would encourage others who suffer homophobia, racism, gender discrimination or any other type of prejudiced abuse to do the same.”
Police Scotland traced the Twitter account to Mr McAuley.
McAuley pleaded guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court to a charge of behaving in a racially aggravated manner, which caused alarm and distress. Sheriff Brian Cameron has deferred his sentencing until next month.
Last night, Mr Yousaf said: “This case demonstrates that Scotland takes a zero-tolerance approach to racism or any hate crime. It also shows that racists will not be able to hide behind the anonymity of the internet. If you commit cyber hate crimes, you will be investigated.”
Mr Yousaf has been a repeat target for racist and religious abuse recently. Earlier this year, a man who subjected Mr Yousaf to racist abuse as he took part in a charity event raising funds for the homeless outside Glasgow’s Queen Street station, received a community service sentence for breach of the peace and a racist offence. This week, Mr Yousaf reportedly received a spate of racist and Islamophobic abuse online in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris, falsely accusing him of supporting those behind the atrocity. Police Scotland have launched an investigation into the messages and issued a statement declaring zero tolerance for hate crimes in Scotland.