Police on alert amid fears far-right rioters could attack several Scots hotels as counter demos planned
COPS are on alert amid fears far-right rioters could target Scots hotels.
Anti-racism campaigners urged their members to gather in Paisley on Friday following reports a mob was preparing to gather at a building in the town.
Stand Up To Racism are also staging rallies in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow on Saturday in what they’ve billed as an anti-racism ‘day of action’.
It comes amid claims thugs were planning to turn up at hotels in Paisley, Lanarkshire and Greenock over the weekend.
Social media accounts linked to far-right groups were sharing appeals for people to attend.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “We understand the violent disorder in other parts of the United Kingdom is causing concern and we are continuing to provide reassurance to communities across the country through enhanced patrols and direct engagement.
“We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that any potential for violence or disorder in Scotland is identified quickly and responded to immediately.
“We are aware of a number of planned protests, and counter protests, over the coming weeks, which will be policed appropriately.
“Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation, and our role is to ensure public safety while balancing the rights of protesters who wish to peacefully demonstrate.
We encourage anyone with concerns or information to contact us through 101.”
Stand Up To Racism Scotland said on X: “Rally in your city or town this Saturday to say we will stand up to the far-right – part of AntiRacismDay day of action, so far in Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh
“In Paisley where far-right plan to target hotel on Friday, oppose them & defend refugees.”
The preparations come as former First Minister Humza Yousaf said the recent anti-Muslim hatred could force him to flee Scotland.
The ex-SNP leader revealed he was considering his family’s future and would even consider leaving “Europe and the West” altogether.
He said: “Every Muslim I know is asking the same question: do we have a future here in the UK?”
The former SNP boss’s stark admission comes as violent far-right riots took place in cities across England and in Northern Ireland over the weekend.
Mr Yousaf said the recent disorder had made him think the prospect of leaving the UK was no longer a “ridiculous suggestion”.
Speaking to the News Agents podcast, Mr Yousaf said he was “as Scottish as they come” but he didn’t know if he saw a future here for his wife and three children.
The MSP for Glasgow Pollock said: “I was born in Scotland, raised in Scotland, educated in Scotland, just welcomed my third child here in Scotland. Was leader of the Scottish government for just over a year, leader of the Scottish National Party.
“You cut me open and I’m about as Scottish as they come but the truth of the matter is I don’t whether the future for me, and my wife and three children is going to be here in Scotland, the United Kingdom or indeed in Europe and the west.”
He said he had been concerned about the rise of Islamophobia for some time.
“We are now seeing the culmination of not years, actually decades of anti-migrant, anti-Muslim rhetoric being normalised in our political discourse now playing out in the most violent way possible,” he added.
Posting on X/Twitter, the Mr Yousaf added: “I was honest. I don’t know if my children will be safe in the UK with the rise of the far-right.
“Every Muslim I know is asking the same question: do we have a future here in the UK? We need to confront the far-right, we cannot let them win.”