The Scottish Conservatives have called on the Home Office to investigate whether a Scottish Green MSP has breached the terms of their visa.
Q Manivannan, who was elected on the Edinburgh and Lothians East list, is in the UK on a student visa, which is due to expire this year.
However, Home Office guidance is clear that holders of student visas are only permitted to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week, whether voluntary or paid.
Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr, who has written to the Home Secretary today, says that Manivannan is almost certain to have breached that limit during the election campaign – and can’t feasibly carry out the work of an MSP without continually breaching it.
He added that the Scottish Greens had let down voters in Edinburgh by selecting Manivannan and urged them to explain what, if any, due diligence was carried out.
Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr said: “I’m calling on the Home Office to look into this case, because I can’t see how Q Manivannan can fulfil the duties of an MSP without breaching the strict terms under which a student visa is issued.
“Being an MSP is a demanding, full-time job that can’t possibly be carried out effectively by working less than 20 hours per week.
“In fact, it’s almost certain that Q Manivannan has already breached that limit during the course of the election campaign.
“Immigration rules must be applied fairly and equally to all, and they certainly can’t be breached by a lawmaking MSP.
“This is a shambles entirely of the Scottish Greens’ making – and they owe an explanation to voters in Edinburgh.
“If they had done any due diligence or candidate vetting, they would have realised the pitfalls of this candidate standing.”