SNP MSP Humza Yousaf has given “credit where credit is due” over the reduced number of complaints he has received over the controversial use of police stop and search powers, which had been claimed to have been disproportionately applied to ethnic minority groups.

However he warned that the current law required review, and the application of the powers was driven by factors other than counter-intelligence information.

The Terrorism Act 2000 gives police powers to stop, search and question travellers at UK airports without reasonable suspicion that the person is engaged in terrorism.

"In the last six months I have had fewer complaints than in the previous four years,2 Yousaf said.

“I am very much of the view that the UK legislation still needs to be reviewed because it is capable of being applied in an arbitrary fashion. The problem remains that the powers are not intelligence led."

Yesterday Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill said there had been “positive progress” in the wake of a series of public meetings held with communities groups aimed at building trust over the use of the powers last year.

“Concerns were raised about a lack of clear information about the powers and how they are used, and police have acted swiftly by reviewing the leaflets given to those who are stopped and by making sure information is more widely and easily available, both at the airports and in communities,” he sad.

“Where there are legitimate concerns and grievances in communities we need to understand them and work together to try to address them.”

He said that he believed police make proportionate and necessary use of the powers in the Act.