The man behind Humza Yousaf’s ‘Security’ series is a donor to the Scottish Labor Party

Neil Lal, who describes himself as chairman and president of the Indian Council of Scotland, handed over the money in November, new Electoral Commission records show.

Mr Lal, 47, dramatically intervened in the race for SNP leadership last month when he issued a statement on behalf of his council, harshly attacking Mr Yousaf.

It was co-authored by Wasif Ahmad, one of Mr Lal’s associates, who describes himself as the chairman of the obscure Muslim Council of the UK.

It prompted the long-established Muslim Council of Britain to issue a statement clarifying that Mr Ahmad’s organization had nothing to do with it.

Mr. Lal was previously active in conservative and unionist politics.

In 2020 he called himself “Chairman and President of the Scottish Conservative Friends of India” – the Scottish Conservatives saying the group was “in no way affiliated with the party”.

Last year Mr Lal’s Indian Council of Scotland also backed Penny Mordaunt in the Tory leadership race to replace Boris Johnson.

In December he took part in the launch of the Toegther UK Foundation in London alongside Northern Ireland Brexiteer Secretary Steve Baker and former DUP leader Arlene Foster.

The Election Commission today published the donation figures for the final quarter of 2022.

They showed that UK-registered political parties reported accepting over £51m in donations and public funding last year, around £300,000 more than in 2021.

Mr Lal’s donation was made to Scottish Labort on November 28 and was reported in January.

It appears to be his first declarable donation to a party.

READ MORE: Alba denies inspirational attack on Yousaf after links surface

It was Scottish Labor’s largest single donation in the final quarter of 2022.

Mr. Lal also has ties to Alex Salmond’s Alba Party through his family’s property interests.

Alba has its Glasgow office in a building owned by a family business run by Mr Lal, with Mr Lal’s mother acting as Alba’s landlord.

Alba Secretary-General Chris McEleny said he had previously “networked” with Mr Lal, but both men denied orchestrating the attack on Mr Yousaf on behalf of Alba.

Mr. Lal said: “I am fortunate to be able to support a variety of charities.

“In India, my family foundation, the Lal Sharma Foundation, funds food deliveries to Indian orphanages. In the UK we support many charities including organisations/charities.

“My donation to the Labor Party is made on the same basis as all my charitable donations.

“I firmly believe that the Labor Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar, is best placed to help the poor in Scotland and across the UK. All my donations are personal and have nothing to do with the Indian Councils of Scotland and the UK.”

A Scottish Labor spokesman said: “Labour is in a strong and positive financial position after posting significant income growth throughout 2022.

“As we move towards general election, donors are returning and we are investing in new talent.

“The Labor Party is a changed party who are serious about coming into government and building a fairer, greener and more dynamic Britain.”