THE First Minister’s wife, whose brother remains trapped in Gaza, has called on the British government to create a Ukrainian-style resettlement scheme for Gazan refugees.

Nadia El-Nakla, who serves as SNP councillor in Dundee, told the Guardian newspaper that while her sister-in-law and their four children have been given refuge in Turkey, her brother Mohammed was refused permission.

Mr El-Nakla, who travelled to Gaza to work as emergency doctor, remains trapped in the enclave alongside his infirm 93-year-old grandmother after Turkey removed his name from a list of those to be accepted.

Ms El-Nakla called on the British government to allow any of those fleeing the bloodbath with links to Britain safe refuge, saying that the “Ukrainian resettlement programme saved so many lives.

“Gazans should also have that opportunity, especially those with family in Britain.

“I feel like a second-class citizen in my own country, because I don’t have the right to bring my own brother to stay in my own home.

“I can see people across the street hosting Ukrainian families, and rightly so, but I can’t host my own brother, to me that feels beyond upsetting.”

Ms El-Nakla, who says her parents remain “traumatised” after a visit with their son ended in them being trapped in Gaza for a month as the Israeli onslaught began, says her brother continues to work through the war.

While she says Mr El-Nakla remains thankful that his wife and children have got out, she added: “There’s nothing I can say to comfort him.

“I said to him remember the line from the Koran that says with difficulty comes ease, and that ease should come soon. He replied: ‘I say that line about 100 times a day.’

“They’re just so tired of it. There’s no respite.”