Sturgeon, who served as an MSP from 1999 until the dissolution of the Scottish parliament earlier this month, will join the refugee charity Safe Passage International (SPI) as chair of its board of trustees. It is a voluntary, unpaid position.

SPI defends the rights of refugees, using the law to help them access a safe route to a place of safety. It is currently taking the Labour Government to court over what it alleges is unlawful changes to the right of refugees to bring their family members to the UK.

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Sturgeon suggested that the UK Government’s increasingly hardline stance on asylum would force more people into taking “unsafe and exploitative” routes to escape persecution.

She said: “We live in an uncertain and increasingly unstable world. This means that population displacement will continue to be a fact of life. For so many around the world, seeking protection is not a choice – it is a necessity, a basic act of survival.

“The decision many governments are making now to pull up the drawbridge and make life ever harder for asylum seekers will not change this reality. It will simply force increasing numbers of people to use routes to asylum that are unsafe and exploitative – such as small boats crossings in the UK context. This separates families and risks lives.”

The former SNP leader went on: “The far better alternative is for governments – working collectively as well as individually – to offer safe routes for those seeking asylum and then support families to rebuild their lives.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon (Image: PA)

“It may feel that we are a long way from this approach, but in providing advice and representation to asylum seekers, bringing court challenges to unjust and unlawful government decisions and campaigning to change the public understanding of and attitudes to seeking safety, the work of Safe Passage International is offering hope that a better future is possible.”

A statement from Safe Passage’s board of trustees said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Nicola as our chair, bringing her strong skills in leadership and campaigning to our mission.

“Nicola has a long track-record of championing the rights of people fleeing war and persecution and implementing compassionate policies in Scotland.

“We’re looking forward to working with Nicola to support the work of the expert teams at Safe Passage, in the UK, France and Greece, reuniting refugee families and campaigning for safe routes.”

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In February, SPI was given permission to challenge the Labour Government’s decision to suspend the right of refugees to bring their children and partners to the UK in the High Court.

SPI chief executive Jo Cobley told The Guardian that the UK Government was “abandoning the UK’s duties to protect refugee children”.

“We are fighting against the suspension, as we fear more children and families will turn to smugglers, with yet another safe route closed down, and risk their lives to reach their loved ones,” she said.

The case is expected to be heard later in 2026.

When the legal challenge was first reported, a Home Office spokesperson said: “Under this government’s reforms to create a fairer asylum system, family reunion will no longer be automatic. Those seeking to bring family members to the UK will need to meet stricter criteria.

“Those with protection status can still use other family routes to sponsor a partner and child to come to the UK.”