Trans MSP will have to secure visa renewal to serve at Holyrood for full term

Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said it was “likely” Q Manivannan would get a renewal

A Scottish Greens MSP will have to secure a new visa to serve a full term at Holyrood. Co-leader Gillian Mackay confirmed Q Manivannan – one of two trans MSPs elected last week – will need to apply for a visa renewal.

Dr Manivannan is reported to have lived in Scotland since 2021, with speculation on social media that they are in the UK on a student visa.

Asked if Dr Manivannan is able to serve the full five-year term at Holyrood, Mackay said: “There will have to be a renewal of Q’s visa. That is a process they will have to complete over the session of Parliament.”

She said Holyrood had “specifically passed legislation to allow people like Q to be able to stand and be MSPs”.

Pressed on the prospect of the new MSP being refused a renewed visa by the Home Office, Mackay said: “I don’t think it is likely that will happen.”

She said the Greens will do “anything we can do to support Q” with the renewal process.

Manivannan was one of 15 Greens MSPs elected in what was the party’s best ever election result.

Mackay said her party had “returned some fantastic MSPs”, adding: “I can’t wait to see what they are all going to achieve this session.

“I am actually interested in what we can deliver for Scotland, making sure we do push for those things that do put money back into people’s pockets, that tackle those twin crises of the climate emergency and the cost-of-living crisis and make sure that Scotland is that kinder, fairer place.”