Keo Manivannan, a Scottish Greenpeace member of Indian origin who was elected to the Scottish Parliament last week, attracted criticism after backing calls for reparations to the Palestinians funded by Scottish taxpayers.Manivannan, who represents the regional list for Edinburgh and East Lothians, backed a statement issued by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland ahead of the Holyrood election.The document urged the future Scottish government to introduce what it described as a “reparative justice program” for Palestinians and to study Scotland’s historical links with “the colonization and occupation of Palestine.”
Manivannan, who describes himself as a “gay Tamil immigrant”, was elected as part of the pro-independence Scottish Greens party.The MSP’s election has already sparked political controversy after reports emerged that Manivannan was in the UK on a student visa, raising questions about whether their immigration status would cover the full parliamentary term.Under current UK immigration rules, elected positions in devolved legislatures such as Holyrood are not treated as standard jobs, allowing student visa holders to work as multiple providers.However, Manivannan may need to obtain a Postgraduate Visa or Global Talent Visa to remain eligible throughout the five-year period.
Rachel Hamilton, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives, told The Telegraph: “Ordinary Scots will be appalled that these Green MPs are not only allying themselves with an organization promoting anti-Semitic tropes, but are endorsing taxpayers footing the bill for a misguided virtue-signaling ploy.”Hamilton added: “The new entrants to the green MSPs appear to be more extreme than those who came before them. The idea of John Swinney making a deal with these lunatics is truly terrifying.”The endorsement also sparked criticism on social media, with many users questioning why Scottish taxpayers should fund Palestine-related reparations.One user on X wrote: “What’s wrong with these people? Why should any British taxpayer fund reparations for Palestine?”Another user commented: “Welcome to Scotland 2026, where identity politics trumps local needs and taxpayers are merely an ATM for global grievances.”A third user criticized the MSP’s political priorities, writing: “His first priority is not the people of Scotland.”The Scottish Greens’ official election manifesto supported wider international discussions on reparations linked to colonialism, although it did not specifically commit to reparations for Palestinians.The row also renewed political debate in Scotland over immigration rules and whether temporary visa holders should be allowed to stand for elected office.Reform UK’s Malcolm Offord previously told The Telegraph that he would support banning foreign students from standing as MSPs after rules were changed to allow temporary visa holders to stand in the election.
