Indian-origin Green MSP Q Manivannan sparks row after backing taxpayer-funded reparations for Palestine

Q Manivannan, an Indian-origin Scottish Green MSP elected to the Scottish Parliament last week, has drawn criticism after endorsing calls for reparations to Palestinians funded by Scottish taxpayers.

Manivannan, who represents the Edinburgh & Lothians East regional list, supported a manifesto issued by the group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland ahead of the Holyrood election.

The document urged a future Scottish government to introduce what it described as a “programme of reparative justice” for Palestinians and examine Scotland’s historical links to the “colonisation and occupation of Palestine”.

Manivannan, who describes themself as a “queer Tamil immigrant”, was elected as part of the pro-independence Scottish Greens.

The MSP’s election had already sparked political debate after reports emerged that Manivannan was in the UK on a student visa, raising questions over whether their immigration status would cover the full parliamentary term.

Under current UK immigration rules, elected office in devolved legislatures such as Holyrood is not treated as standard employment, allowing student visa holders to serve as MSPs.

However, Manivannan may need to secure a graduate or Global Talent visa to remain eligible throughout the five-year term.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton told The Telegraph: “Ordinary Scots will be appalled that these Green MSPs are not only aligned with an organisation pushing anti-Semitic tropes but are advocating that taxpayers pick up the tab for a misguided virtue-signalling stunt.”

“It seems the new intake of Green MSPs are even more extreme than those who went before them. The thought of John Swinney cutting a deal with these crackpots is truly terrifying,” Hamilton added.

The endorsement also triggered criticism on social media, where several users questioned why Scottish taxpayers should fund reparations linked to Palestine.

“What is wrong with these people? Why should any UK taxpayer fund reparations for Palestine,” one user wrote on X.

Another user commented: “Welcome to Scotland 2026, where identity politics beats local needs and the taxpayer is just an ATM for global grievances.”

A third user criticised the MSP’s political priorities, writing: “His first priority is not to the people of Scotland.”

The Scottish Greens’ official election manifesto supported broader international discussions around reparations linked to colonialism, though it did not specifically commit to reparations for Palestinians.

The row has also renewed political debate in Scotland over immigration rules and whether temporary visa holders should be allowed to stand for elected office.

Malcolm Offord of Reform UK previously told The Telegraph he would support blocking foreign students from standing as MSPs after rules were changed to allow temporary visa holders to contest elections.