STV NewsReform’s deputy leader Thomas Kerr has reported lawyer Aamer Anwar to police over a speech made during a counter-protest at Glasgow Green.
Police made 15 arrests after the anti-immigration rally was met by anti-racism counter-protesters, following planned demonstrations involving around 1,700 people on Saturday.
Officers responded to “significant disorder from disparate groups” as police chased and held back Unite the Clans demonstrators who ran towards an anti-fascist group, with many on both sides wearing masks.
Punches were thrown as the anti-immigration group approached anti-racism campaigners, while projectiles were thrown into the anti-racism crowd.
Arrests were made in relation to a variety of offences, including assault, possession of offensive weapons, breach of the peace, obstruction and resisting arrest.
In an email seen by STV News, Kerr reported Mr Anwar to police over a speech made at the anti-racism protest, claiming that it “could amount to stirring up hatred or otherwise unlawfully inflaming community tensions”.
Stand Up to Racism Scotland, which organised the counter-protest, said it extended its full solidarity to Mr Anwar.
Kerr said on X: “His comments go beyond robust political debate and, I believe, have the effect of encouraging hostility towards a section of Scots based on their political views, nationality, ethnicity and cultural identity.
“In particular, it is abhorrent that he found it acceptable to describe political campaigners as ‘terrorists’ and to make comments on questioning their culture and religion.
“His words, I have no doubt, will contribute to increased hostility and community tensions and I hope Police Scotland investigate the matter fully.”
STV NewsMr Anwar, said in a response to STV News: “Ah the irony, Thomas Kerr, a wannabe tartan Tommy Robinson, should know police are busy tracing those masked thugs responsible for inciting and taking part in Saturday’s race hate, attacks on police officers and innocent people of colour, there will be no hiding place for them.
“Kerr claims to have called out Saturday’s violence, yet several of his Reform members stood next to the thugs, many of whom were masked, whilst racist abuse, threats of violence and Nazi salutes took place.
“Any decent person would be calling out the pogroms in Belfast and knife attacks in Leith, yet this great defender of free speech – Mr Kerr’s reaction to my words is to waste police time, by labelling it as hate speech.”
Mr Anwar told the crowd on Saturday: “I wonder what would have happened if, in response to the knife rampage in Leith, Muslims or members of the non-white community had masked up and organised pogroms against the white community, had set fire to white people’s homes with children running for their lives.
“Would there have been sympathy for their cause? Would the mob have been called campaigners with legitimate concerns? Or would we be calling them exactly what they are, ‘terrorists’?”
STV NewsStand Up to Racism Scotland said on X: “No matter how desperately Reform UK try to twist the narrative – the only thing that is really ‘abhorrent’ is the way in which Thomas Kerr, Malcolm Offord and Nigel Farage remain silent on the fact that Reform councillor Audrey Dempsey was amongst the speakers at the fascist-led riot in Glasgow Green on Saturday, despite widespread public condemnation.”
During her speech, Dempsey asked for the “violence to stop” and for demonstrators to remain peaceful.
Following criticism for her attendance, Dempsey said she was there to speak about one thing, “the safety of women and girls,” and she would take that message to “anyone willing to listen”.
She said she didn’t see anyone “even remotely resembling a Nazi”.
Kerr told STV News it was “appropriate” for Councillor Dempsey to speak at the rally and it was “right” for her to attend. He added that politicians on either side of the divide should not be held accountable for the views held by other speakers.
Extensive enquiries are under way to identify other individuals involved and further arrests will be made, Police Scotland said.
The chief constable discussed the events in Glasgow in her report to the Scottish Police Authority board, which will meet on Thursday.
She said: “Scotland continues to experience an increased level of planned and spontaneous protests, and while most are peaceful, policing has responded to instances of criminality, including disgraceful scenes in Glasgow at the weekend.
“I would take this opportunity to condemn violence, disorder and intimidation.
“Arrests have been made, a significant investigation has been established and we will take further action.”
She continued: “Extensive inquiries, led by the major investigation team, are under way into the disorder and officers will be reviewing CCTV, mobile phone and dashcam footage, and capturing statements to identify those responsible.”
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment on Mr Kerr’s report.
Reform UK declined to comment.
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