Scottish Protestants Against Discrimination have spoken out following two "religiously motivated" attacks orange halls. 

Their statement comes after a police investigation was launched on Friday after an orange hall in Rutherglen was vandalised.

'God Bless the Pope' had been spray-painted on the side of the building for the Twenty Social Club on Cathcart Road.  

Another hall was targeted with graffiti in Springburn. 

The statement from the group read: "As a country, we find ourselves facing unprecedented times during this Covid-19 pandemic. 

"Over 26,000 people have sadly lost their lives to this disease in the UK alone to date. 

"The government have been setting out guidelines for weeks urging the public not to leave their homes unnecessarily. 

"In spite of this, certain individuals continue to see fit to breach these guidelines to commit religiously motivated attacks against the Protestant community.

"Between last night and this morning, two Orange Halls in Glasgow have been targeted with derogatory spray paint graffiti."

READ MORE: Police probe launched after ‘God bless the Pope’ is spray painted on orange hall

The group promised to contact the councils in both areas "regarding this concerning matter of sectarian cowardice". 

Police Scotland confirmed the Cathcart Road building had been vandalised on Friday. 

A Police Scotland spokeswoman added: "We’d ask anyone with information to report this to us quoting incident 0874 of May 1, or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Police have been contacted regarding the Springburn incident. 

Scottish Protestants Against Discrimination added: "Both halls in question have been at the forefront of their local communities in the donation of both food supplies and essential goods, throughout the current lockdown period, whilst not discriminating towards recipients of the goods."