Overview
- Q Manivannan, a Tamil Nadu–born doctoral student, won a Scottish Parliament seat for the Greens on the Edinburgh & Lothians East regional list and is now an elected MSP.
- Scottish Conservatives have asked the Home Secretary to investigate, claiming a student visa’s 20‑hour work cap conflicts with the full‑time demands of an MSP.
- SNP veteran Ian Blackford urged the Greens to withdraw the MSP, citing uncertainty over whether a student visa allows hiring staff such as caseworkers.
- Manivannan says they are moving from a student visa to a three‑year graduate visa and have applied for a global talent visa to cover the full parliamentary term.
- A 2020 Scottish law lets people on valid temporary visas stand for Holyrood, but the UK Home Office controls visa conditions, which can restrict paid hours and employing staff; Holyrood says vetting candidates is up to parties and contenders, and no Home Office action has been reported.