STV NewsScotland’s First Minister has described the disorder seen across Scotland in the wake of a stabbing in Belfast as “unacceptable”.
Demonstrations were held in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ayr and Aberdeen after an attempted murder in Belfast on Monday which sparked violence in Northern Ireland.
A crowd dressed mostly in black gathered on the steps of Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, before marching down to the River Clyde.
Pictures online showed the group holding a banner reading “White Lives Matter”. Far-right and neo-Nazi groups on social media also circulated videos of violent outbreaks during the demonstration.
Attackers can be heard using racist language.
Dozens of officers, riot vans, and a helicopter were deployed, with a large presence near St Enoch shopping centre and Buchanan Street.
STV NewsThe ambulance service was called to three incidents to assist patients.
John Swinney took to social media to condemn the scenes. The First Minister stated that “racism, hatred and intimidation has no place in Scotland”.
He said: “The scenes we saw in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr last night are unacceptable.
“Scotland is a welcoming nation and those who choose to make their lives here are valued members of our communities.”
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