UPDATE: POLICE SAY 'NO EVIDENCE' OF CHILD EXPLOITATION IN GOVANHILL AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA RUMOURS

THE First Minister has spoken out on what she called "myths and misrepresentation" of issues in her constituency.

Responding to a column which argued the Govanhill Roma community was being demonised by people pushing a racist agenda, by our chief reporter Catriona Stewart in our sister title The Herald, Nicola Sturgeon praised the piece as "very good". 

She said: "The area has its challenges, which much work is being done to address.

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"But it is also subject to myth and misrepresentation - sometimes from people who don't know it very well at all."

In her article in today's Herald newspaper, Ms Stewart wrote: "There are cultural clashes. Roma people will socialise outdoors, they stand in groups on the street.

"Some find this intimidating and would prefer the police moved them on. Others take this as a sure sign of criminality - they are only out there because they are up to no good.

"The Roma are scapegoats for overcrowding, for fly-tipping, for substandard housing conditions, for crime.

"Occasionally local whispers of the nefarious behaviours of the Roma reach a certain pitch and the elevated tone brings some new explorer in from outside.

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"Like Columbus destined for the New World, a brave adventurer will come to uncover the sights as those of us who are all too familiar with the landscape watch in bemusement.

"Most recently, the age-old slur against the Roma followed them here: that parents sell their children. A Police Scotland dedicated unit was set up to investigate these allegations and, after many months in the community, turned up nothing."

Ms Sturgeon has represented Glasgow Southside, the constituency containing Govanhill, in the Scottish parliament since 2007. 

It comes after claims were made without proof alleging child sexual abuse was taking place in Govanhill, which were widely shared on social media. 

We told earlier this week that police were now investigating the claims. 

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The force, which had earlier told the Glasgow Times it was unaware of the clip, revealed in a statement on Wednesday night: "Police Scotland is aware of videos circulating on social media in relation to Govanhill.

"The allegations presented in the video are being looked into.

"If anyone has any information relating to this then they should contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."