SNP Government to meet Orange Order after walk 'hit with air pellets'

Glasgow Times

7 days ago

A procession was passing along Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street, near to Kelvingrove Street, when the incident reportedly happened on Saturday.
Police said no-one was seriously injured but condemned the 'dangerous occurrence' and said investigations were continuing.
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The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland later released a statement condemning the 'alarming' suspected air weapon incident and expressing 'deep concern'.
It stated: 'This reckless act has escalated the level of hostility towards the Orange Order, endangering the lives of our members.
'The Most Worthy Grand Master urgently requests a meeting with the First Minister of Scotland to address this incident and the escalating tide of anti-Protestant sentiment we face daily.'
In a Scottish Government statement, Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown confirmed that representatives would meet the Orange Order.
'It is deeply concerning that anyone would seek to attack a public march and put those taking part, as well as spectators and the wider public, at risk,' Brown said.
"Ministers condemn behaviour of this kind against any individual or organisation, for which there can be no justification whatsoever.
"The Scottish Government fully supports Police Scotland to take appropriate action following its investigation and will shortly meet with representatives of the Grand Orange Lodge to hear their concerns.'
The Orange walks were part of celebrations for the County Grand Orange Lodge of Glasgow and Orange Lodges in Lanarkshire to remember the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
Thousands of people took part in Scotland's largest city on Saturday in the biggest Orange event of the year.
Elsewhere, four people were arrested following Orange Order processions in Lanarkshire on the same day.
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan, event commander for the annual Boyne processions in Glasgow and Lanarkshire, said: 'Police in Lanarkshire made four arrests following the Orange Order procession on Saturday July 5 2025.
'The offences were primarily for breach of the peace and acts of anti-social behaviour.
'There were no arrests at the event in Glasgow, however, we are investigating an incident on Sauchiehall Street near to Kelvingrove Street in Glasgow, where four participants in the procession were struck by what was believed to be air weapon pellets.
'Thankfully, no-one was seriously injured and our enquiries into this dangerous occurrence are ongoing.
'A proportionate policing plan was in place, and we worked with a range of partners to ensure public safety and reduce disruption to the wider community.
'I would like to thank the vast majority of the participants, and the wider community, who engaged positively and behaved responsibly throughout.'