Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Man and woman plead guilty to racially abusing Humza Yousaf

Man and woman plead guilty to racially abusing Humza Yousaf

TWO people who pleaded guilty to racially abusing Scotland's first minister, Humza Yousaf, have been issued community sentences.

Tracie Currie, 35, and Carl O'Brien, 25, admitted targeting Yousaf and directing offensive remarks at other SNP politicians in Dundee. They both avoided jail after pleading guilty.


According to reports, Currie and O'Brien repeatedly made racist remarks about Yousaf's ethnicity and prejudiced comments about his religion in the Seagate area earlier this year.

The incident escalated when the pair targeted deputy first minister Shona Robison and Chris Law MP, directing verbal abuse at the SNP parliamentary office on Old Glamis Road.

According to reports, the duo made more than a dozen abusive phone calls to Stewart Hosie MP's constituency office, accompanied by a disturbing video of them storming into the premises to hurl abuse about migrants and the first minister.

The sentencing took place at Dundee Sheriff Court, where Currie received an 18-month supervision order and was mandated to complete 180 hours of unpaid work within a year.

O'Brien, on the other hand, was handed a six-month restriction of liberty order, confining him to his home between 7 pm and 7 am. Both sentences were considered direct alternatives to custody.

The racially charged incident extended beyond the parliamentary office, with Currie and O'Brien later racially abusing diners in a restaurant before their eventual arrest by the police.

Acknowledging their remorse, the court heard that both individuals were going through a difficult period in their lives.

“You have committed serious offences and for both of you they are in the custodial zone," Sheriff Alistair Carmichael was quoted as saying.

“Your actions in conveying your political views in an aggressive manner were unacceptable, unworthy and selfish. MPs and MSPs are democratically elected representatives of the people. You may or may not like them, and you may or may not like their politics.

“You have to express your views in a civilised manner, and not in an aggressive in-your-face ranting, as you have done - as that way lies anarchy.”

Notably, Currie faced additional charges of resisting arrest and struggling outside a police station, as well as possession of cocaine, but the Crown accepted her not guilty plea. O'Brien's denial of a further charge of threatening and abusive behaviour was also accepted by prosecutors.

More For You

Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

Officials greet newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government Sushila Karki (R) as she arrives at the prime minister's office in Kathmandu on September 14, 2025. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

NEPAL’s new interim prime minister Sushila Karki on Sunday (14) pledged to act on protesters’ calls to end corruption and restore trust in government, as the country struggles with the aftermath of its worst political unrest in decades.

“We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” Karki said in her first address to the nation since taking office on Friday (12). “What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality. We will not stay here more than six months in any situation. We will complete our responsibilities and hand over to the next parliament and ministers.”

Keep ReadingShow less