Page 2 | Pretty sure the new Green msp is in breach of his student visa conditions

OneTealShaker · 11/05/2026 09:14

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 11/05/2026 09:03

The Scottish government is actually breaking the law

Complete bollocks.

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How eloquent. Exactly that kind of argument that the left can mange.

RoseField1 · 11/05/2026 09:10

TipsyLaird · 11/05/2026 07:40

The Greens and Scottish government will wriggle out of it by saying it's not work, it's public service or something. But yes, absolutely ridiculous and go ahead and complain.

But if it's not work what kind of visa is he going to apply for?

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 11/05/2026 09:06

Scotland is a binfire now.

Wildflowergalore · 11/05/2026 09:05

I am an immigrant and I find this absolutely mind boggling. I thought it was a reporting mistake at fitst because this is just so incredibly ridiculous.
I don't think we should be able to stand for office if we are not permanent residents tbh.

TipsyLaird · 11/05/2026 09:04

The Greens are the ones at fault here. As usual.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 11/05/2026 09:03

OneTealShaker · 10/05/2026 23:18

But seriously though, breach of visa terms should lead to deportation. The Scottish government is actually breaking the law. What hope is there for the country when the government is trolling its people by breaking immigration laws openly.

The Scottish government is actually breaking the law

Complete bollocks.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 11/05/2026 09:02

TipsyLaird · 11/05/2026 07:40

The Greens and Scottish government will wriggle out of it by saying it's not work, it's public service or something. But yes, absolutely ridiculous and go ahead and complain.

What on earth has this got to do with the Scottish Government?

Technically there is no such thing currently, but regardless, Q is not a member of the party looking to govern, and this is an issue for the Home Office, it's a Reserved policy area and nothing whatsoever to do with Holyrood.

Hoardasurass · 11/05/2026 07:40

FernandoSor · 10/05/2026 23:59

Being an MSP (or indeed an MP) is not paid employment, legally speaking. They are “office holders” with no contract or any other employee or contingent worker rights. I’m not sure where this falls in terms of student visa restrictions on work. I suspect the HO would have to consider it very carefully.

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All constituency staff are employees of the msp.
Msp is a paid employment.
Both of these facts make him ineligible for the role under his visa

TipsyLaird · 11/05/2026 07:40

The Greens and Scottish government will wriggle out of it by saying it's not work, it's public service or something. But yes, absolutely ridiculous and go ahead and complain.

Hoardasurass · 11/05/2026 07:38

MyDenimBird · 10/05/2026 23:47

30 seconds of googling makes it clear that the msp already completed the PhD (hence being Dr) and so the student visa related outrage is not necessary as like anyone else who gets a job that requires a visa to work at, they apply for it after being successful at interview - just in this case the interview was an election that hundreds of thousands of people voted in!

They aren't even the first msp to be on a visa, just the first one the press has taken notice of...

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The studen visa is important as its the only visa he has and under it he cant legally take up his seat this week. This is the problem he is ineligible to be a MSP and cant legally hire any constituency staff either.
No other msp has ever been elected when barred from the role by the limitations on their visa.

FernandoSor · 10/05/2026 23:59

Hoardasurass · 10/05/2026 10:18

Its a full-time job (officially) and he isn't allowed to work for more than 20 hrs a week and he is barred from employing anyone else under his student visa.
He is currently applying for a graduate visa which will only last 3 and cannot be extended.
He claims he'll get a "extraordinary talent" visa assuming he means a global talent visa, being an MSP is not covered by it nor does he fit any other criteria.
Basically the greens listed an ineligible candidate and should be sanctioned and he should be stripped of his seat.

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Being an MSP (or indeed an MP) is not paid employment, legally speaking. They are “office holders” with no contract or any other employee or contingent worker rights. I’m not sure where this falls in terms of student visa restrictions on work. I suspect the HO would have to consider it very carefully.

MyDenimBird · 10/05/2026 23:47

Hoardasurass · 10/05/2026 10:18

Its a full-time job (officially) and he isn't allowed to work for more than 20 hrs a week and he is barred from employing anyone else under his student visa.
He is currently applying for a graduate visa which will only last 3 and cannot be extended.
He claims he'll get a "extraordinary talent" visa assuming he means a global talent visa, being an MSP is not covered by it nor does he fit any other criteria.
Basically the greens listed an ineligible candidate and should be sanctioned and he should be stripped of his seat.

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30 seconds of googling makes it clear that the msp already completed the PhD (hence being Dr) and so the student visa related outrage is not necessary as like anyone else who gets a job that requires a visa to work at, they apply for it after being successful at interview - just in this case the interview was an election that hundreds of thousands of people voted in!

They aren't even the first msp to be on a visa, just the first one the press has taken notice of...

OneTealShaker · 10/05/2026 23:18

But seriously though, breach of visa terms should lead to deportation. The Scottish government is actually breaking the law. What hope is there for the country when the government is trolling its people by breaking immigration laws openly.

OneTealShaker · 10/05/2026 23:14

The Green Party are batshit crazy.

This is beyond satire.

How do people vote for these clowns with a serious face.

Hoardasurass · 10/05/2026 23:11

Tbh the green party in England had a guy elected as a councillor in Camden who works for the council as a teacher which made him ineligible to stand and take his seat. So it seems that its both green parties that have an issue with ineligible candidate's though obviously the Scottish greens had to outdo the English greens 🙄

titchy · 10/05/2026 23:10

He could get a graduate visa fast-tracked in about a week, which would mean he could be a FT MSP for three years. Quite why he’s fundraising the cost, rather than having the Greens pay, I don’t know.

Motheranddaughter · 10/05/2026 22:53

To me this sums up the Green Party
If this is not against the rules it certainly should be

Motheranddaughter · 10/05/2026 22:50

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 10/05/2026 10:10

By taking on work that will require more than twenty hours a week

Debatable, going by certain previous Edinburgh MSP's histories.

Indeed

IoannahJo · 10/05/2026 22:41

Hoardasurass · 10/05/2026 22:20

He was a list candidate under the pr vote you choose a party not a person so the idiots voted green not for him specifically.
The have put out a statement basically saying its all good and hes fine

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-greens-insist-new-msp-37134439

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Ah OK thanks @Hoardasurass so is it all ok then and nothing to see here so to speak? Not sure what to think any more to be honest.

Hoardasurass · 10/05/2026 22:20

IoannahJo · 10/05/2026 21:02

I agree. I was astounded reading about this. And how people could vote for someone with such restrictions on the time that can be devoted to the role of representing them is beyond me.

The Greens in Scotland are dreadful and they need to put out some sort of statement quickly. If I were a constituent, nothing less than a formal confirmation that the individual has no limit on their ability to work as many hours as they need to meet the needs of the constituents. Like any other MSP.

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He was a list candidate under the pr vote you choose a party not a person so the idiots voted green not for him specifically.
The have put out a statement basically saying its all good and hes fine

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-greens-insist-new-msp-37134439

Scottish Greens insist new MSP has 'right to work in the UK'

Q Mannivannan was elected on the Edinburgh and Lothians East list and is one of 15 far-left MSPs about to take their seats at Holyrood

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-greens-insist-new-msp-37134439

StickChildNumberTwo · 10/05/2026 21:33

IoannahJo · 10/05/2026 21:02

I agree. I was astounded reading about this. And how people could vote for someone with such restrictions on the time that can be devoted to the role of representing them is beyond me.

The Greens in Scotland are dreadful and they need to put out some sort of statement quickly. If I were a constituent, nothing less than a formal confirmation that the individual has no limit on their ability to work as many hours as they need to meet the needs of the constituents. Like any other MSP.

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Given they were third on the list for the region, I'm not sure many people will have been paying attention to their credentials. For the list vote it's the party that's important. I've no idea how many names were listed for my list vote (different region) but it was a lot and I didn't do more than scan to see if there was anyone I'd heard of or who was standing in my constituency.

IoannahJo · 10/05/2026 21:25

ilovebrie8 · 10/05/2026 21:05

He’s launched a fundraiser to help pay for a U.K. work visa.

Seriously? Wow. I mean, maybe think about your constituents FIRST why don’t you. I can’t abide the greens (I used to when they were truly environmentalist) but this is so embarrassing for them isn’t it

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 10/05/2026 21:21

It really is a national security risk that could potentially allow infiltration by bad faith actors. Is absolutely batshit.

ilovebrie8 · 10/05/2026 21:05

He’s launched a fundraiser to help pay for a U.K. work visa.

IoannahJo · 10/05/2026 21:02

BeaTwix · 10/05/2026 20:50

I'm appalled by it. I cannot see how Q was ever actually eligible for election - you need to be eligible to work in the UK.

Student visa holders cannot work full time and you cannot switch to a skilled worker visa unless you have successfully completed your course.

I don't see how you can fulfil the requirements for a PhD and be a contributing MSP. So either working full time (breaches student visa conditions) or not putting in the time to claim the MSP salary = fraud.

The sodding green party should never have listed this candidate. It reflects very poorly on them.

Edited

I agree. I was astounded reading about this. And how people could vote for someone with such restrictions on the time that can be devoted to the role of representing them is beyond me.

The Greens in Scotland are dreadful and they need to put out some sort of statement quickly. If I were a constituent, nothing less than a formal confirmation that the individual has no limit on their ability to work as many hours as they need to meet the needs of the constituents. Like any other MSP.