Green MSP Q Manivannan Obtains Three-Year UK Visa
Controversial transgender activist and politician Q Manivannan secures a new visa, extending his stay in the UK for three years, though concerns remain about his eligibility to serve a full parliamentary term.
Controversial Green MSP Q Manivannan has been granted a new visa by the Home Office, which he claims allows him to remain in the UK for an additional three years. Manivannan, an Indian transgender activist, was appointed as a regional MSP in May without having stood for election and with an uncertain length of stay in the country.
His situation has ignited a debate regarding the eligibility of legislators who are foreign nationals without permanent residency in the UK. Manivannan, who earns a salary of £77,711, stated that his temporary student visa has been upgraded by the UK Government to a three-year graduate visa. However, this extension does not guarantee his ability to complete the entire parliamentary term.
"My focus is where it always has been, on serving my constituents. This is my home and I'm not going anywhere," Manivannan said. He added, "In just the past few months, I along with my Green colleagues have been getting on with our jobs. We have worked on a range of issues from ensuring fair work in arts and culture and establishing an artist minimum income, securing better and more flexible access to childcare, and standing steadfastly against AI hyperscale data centre applications in Edinburgh and beyond."
Manivannan previously faced public scrutiny when he was rejected by voters in an Edinburgh council ward last year. Despite this, he became an MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East following the May Holyrood election, nominated as a list candidate by his party.
Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr criticized the appointment, calling it an "electoral con" and accusing the Scottish Greens of showing "contempt for voters" by selecting a candidate whose UK residency permit did not cover the full parliamentary term. Kerr argued that the three-year graduate visa fails to resolve the fundamental issue, leaving voters uncertain about Manivannan's ability to serve throughout the Parliament and calling for changes to electoral law.
Thomas Kerr, deputy leader of Reform UK in Scotland, also commented on the matter, telling The Daily Telegraph that the new visa "does not erase the absurdity of a foreign national with no indefinite right to remain voting on Scottish legislation."
Manivannan relocated to Scotland in 2021 to pursue a PhD in international relations at St Andrews University. In May, he sought assistance to fund his graduate visa application, even though he reportedly owns property in India valued up to £250,000.
The Home Office has stated that it does not comment on individual cases.