Recent protests are causing “fear and alarm” in Scotland’s minority communities, the Deputy First Minister has warned.
It comes after SNP's Jenny Gilruth was asked about the recent spate of protests in Glasgow. People demonstrated in the city last week after a 16-year-old was allegedly raped in a park. Other protests erupted following rumours that a care home would be used to accommodate asylum seekers, which the council said was untrue.
In one incident, police said someone’s home had been targeted with a projectile after a case of “mistaken identity”, with an “innocent member of the public” being targeted.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said that “in almost each of these protests” information had been shared that was “factually incorrect”. He added that anonymous social media accounts were “tapping into fears” within communities.
Speaking in the city’s Toryglen area, Gilruth said she could not comment on live police cases, but confirmed the Scottish Government was working with police following the disorder, which has led to several arrests.
She went on to say that MSPS at Holyrood should “reflect on their language” after “stoking” community tensions.
Gilruth told the Press Association: “Obviously, in a democratic society, people have a right to protest, so nobody’s suggesting otherwise.
“But it’s also the case that some of the protesting in recent times has caused fear and alarm to minority groups in particular and we need to recognise that as a Government.
“People who have been stoking some of that fear and alarm, and I would include in that some elected members in other parties, need to reflect on some of the language that they are using, which has helped to stoke some of that division.”
Gilruth’s comments appear to be targeted at Reform UK Scotland, which has backed anti-migrant protests, although the party has urged people to refrain from violence.
The Finance Secretary said ministers would provide “reassurance” to communities who were “feeling concerned” about some of the recent protests. She went on to say that the Scottish Government would lead an “inclusive” Scotland.
Thomas Kerr, Reform UK Scotland's deputy leader, claimed that working-class communities had been used as “dumping grounds” for illegal migrants. However, he went on to warn Glaswegians to be “very careful” about online information in the wake of the demonstrations.
