Yousaf under fire for posing with Turkish first lady

FORMER first minister Humza Yousaf is facing cross-party criticism after meeting with the wife of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

- Craig Meighan

The former SNP leader shared a photo of himself with first lady Emine Erdogan during the Global Donors Forum in Istanbul.

Mr Yousaf, one of the speakers at the philanthropic event, told Ms Erdogan that he and his wife were "sending prayers to you and all of your family".

The meeting comes as the president of Turkey has been accused of cracking down on democracy in the nation by locking up journalists and his political rivals.

The mayor of Istanbul was arrested last month for corruption and terrorism charges - charges which opposition leaders say are politically motivated.