Swinney apology to Gypsy Travellers ‘significant milestone', campaigner says
John Swinney made the formal apology at Holyrood on Thursday over 'unfair and unjust policies' that caused 'trauma' in what was known as the 'tinker experiment'.
Between 1940 and 1980, the so-called experiment – supported by councils and the UK Government – attempted to strip away the nomadic lifestyle of Gypsy Travellers, providing rudimentary and often cramped huts for people to live in.
First Minister Scotland John Swinney issued a formal apology over 'unacceptable' policies against Gypsy Travellers (Jane Barlow/PA)
A report published by the Scottish Government stated that 'the context within which the TE (tinker experiment) occurred is best understood as cultural genocide'.
Ms McPhee, whose family was among those settled in Pitlochry on the former Bobbin Mill site, had grown up in a prefabricated Second World War-style Nissen hut which had no electricity and used candles for light.
She welcomed the First Minister's apology, but said more needed to be done to stop the discrimination that her community continues to face.
First Minister @JohnSwinney has apologised in @ScotParl for historical policies affecting Gypsy/Traveller communities, acknowledging they were unacceptable and caused enduring harm.
More information here: https://t.co/hG5NqF1Br8 pic.twitter.com/B84NTjpmPn
— Scot Gov Fairer (@ScotGovFairer) June 25, 2025
She told the PA news agency: 'It's a milestone that we have reached in our long, long campaign, with no resources and just two or three generals and few food soldiers, really, because most people want to hide.
'I think the fact we managed to achieve that apology from the Government is a significant milestone.
'We're hopeful that discussions shall move forward, and perhaps something may be done about the general level of racism which we suffer, particularly in relation to public bodies.'
Gypsy Traveller campaigner Roseanna McPhee welcomed the First Minister's apology (Craig Meighan/PA)
Ms McPhee said the apology could have been 'more robust' and expressed disappointment that Mr Swinney did not label the Tinker Experiment as 'cultural genocide', the description used in the report published by the Government.
'Cultural genocide is a crime against humanity,' she said. 'They did not name the offence. They did not say they took full responsibility of the offence.
'However, it's a positive step on the road towards the discussion around restitution and just satisfaction.'
Asked if she believed the Scottish Government should offer redress to affected families, she said: 'I absolutely believe it.
'If you'd been kept in degrading conditions as long as I have, with 16 health conditions and prevented from working with a joint-honours degrees and two post-graduates I think you might see some reason to have redress too.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
12 minutes ago
- Leader Live
British personnel ready to arrive in Ukraine once fighting on hold
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his US counterpart Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, where they discussed the conflict after more than three years of fighting in eastern Europe but failed to strike a deal. After talking for nearly three hours, they refused to answer questions from reporters, but both made statements, with Mr Trump saying 'some great progress' was made with 'many points' agreed to, and 'very few' remaining. The UK Government earlier this summer backed international efforts to set up a 'Multinational Force Ukraine', a military plan to bolster Ukraine's defences once the conflict eases, in a bid to ward off future Russian aggression. 'Planning has continued on an enduring basis to ensure that a force can deploy in the days following the cessation of hostilities,' an MoD spokesperson said. According to the Government, 'along with securing Ukraine's skies and supporting safer seas, the force is expected to regenerate land forces by providing logistics, armaments, and training expertise'. It 'will strengthen Ukraine's path to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine's own forces', the spokesperson added. Early designs for the Multinational Force Ukraine were originally drafted last month, after military chiefs met in Paris to agree a strategy and co-ordinate plans with the EU, Nato, the US and more than 200 planners. Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes. Recently, weʼve discussed with the U.S. and Europeans what can truly work. Everyone needs a just end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 15, 2025 Moments before Mr Trump touched down in Anchorage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that Saturday 'will start early for everyone in Europe' as leaders react to the Alaska summit. 'We continue co-ordinating with our partners in Europe,' Mr Zelensky said, and added: 'Russia must end the war that it itself started and has been dragging out for years. 'The killings must stop. A meeting of leaders is needed – at the very least, Ukraine, America, and the Russian side – and it is precisely in such a format that effective decisions are possible.' When he addressed the press, Mr Putin said he greeted Mr Trump on the tarmac as 'dear neighbour' and added: 'Our countries, though separated by the oceans, are close neighbours.' According to a translation carried by broadcasters, he claimed the 'situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security'. Stood next to Mr Putin in front of the words 'Pursuing Peace', Mr Trump said: 'We haven't quite got there but we've made some headway.' He stressed 'there's no deal until there's a deal' and added: 'I will call up Nato in a little while. 'I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I'll of course call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting.' Concluding their exchange, the US president said: 'We'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. 'Thank you very much, Vladimir.' Mr Putin replied: 'Next time, in Moscow.' Mr Trump said: 'That's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat for that one. 'I could see it possibly happening.'
Glasgow Times
12 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
British personnel ready to arrive in Ukraine once fighting on hold
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his US counterpart Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, where they discussed the conflict after more than three years of fighting in eastern Europe but failed to strike a deal. After talking for nearly three hours, they refused to answer questions from reporters, but both made statements, with Mr Trump saying 'some great progress' was made with 'many points' agreed to, and 'very few' remaining. The UK Government earlier this summer backed international efforts to set up a 'Multinational Force Ukraine', a military plan to bolster Ukraine's defences once the conflict eases, in a bid to ward off future Russian aggression. 'Planning has continued on an enduring basis to ensure that a force can deploy in the days following the cessation of hostilities,' an MoD spokesperson said. According to the Government, 'along with securing Ukraine's skies and supporting safer seas, the force is expected to regenerate land forces by providing logistics, armaments, and training expertise'. It 'will strengthen Ukraine's path to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine's own forces', the spokesperson added. Early designs for the Multinational Force Ukraine were originally drafted last month, after military chiefs met in Paris to agree a strategy and co-ordinate plans with the EU, Nato, the US and more than 200 planners. Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes. Recently, weʼve discussed with the U.S. and Europeans what can truly work. Everyone needs a just end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 15, 2025 Moments before Mr Trump touched down in Anchorage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that Saturday 'will start early for everyone in Europe' as leaders react to the Alaska summit. 'We continue co-ordinating with our partners in Europe,' Mr Zelensky said, and added: 'Russia must end the war that it itself started and has been dragging out for years. 'The killings must stop. A meeting of leaders is needed – at the very least, Ukraine, America, and the Russian side – and it is precisely in such a format that effective decisions are possible.' When he addressed the press, Mr Putin said he greeted Mr Trump on the tarmac as 'dear neighbour' and added: 'Our countries, though separated by the oceans, are close neighbours.' According to a translation carried by broadcasters, he claimed the 'situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security'. President Donald Trump at a news conference with President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Stood next to Mr Putin in front of the words 'Pursuing Peace', Mr Trump said: 'We haven't quite got there but we've made some headway.' He stressed 'there's no deal until there's a deal' and added: 'I will call up Nato in a little while. 'I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I'll of course call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting.' Concluding their exchange, the US president said: 'We'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. 'Thank you very much, Vladimir.' Mr Putin replied: 'Next time, in Moscow.' Mr Trump said: 'That's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat for that one. 'I could see it possibly happening.'
Rhyl Journal
15 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
British personnel ready to arrive in Ukraine once fighting on hold
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his US counterpart Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, where they discussed the conflict after more than three years of fighting in eastern Europe but failed to strike a deal. After talking for nearly three hours, they refused to answer questions from reporters, but both made statements, with Mr Trump saying 'some great progress' was made with 'many points' agreed to, and 'very few' remaining. The UK Government earlier this summer backed international efforts to set up a 'Multinational Force Ukraine', a military plan to bolster Ukraine's defences once the conflict eases, in a bid to ward off future Russian aggression. 'Planning has continued on an enduring basis to ensure that a force can deploy in the days following the cessation of hostilities,' an MoD spokesperson said. According to the Government, 'along with securing Ukraine's skies and supporting safer seas, the force is expected to regenerate land forces by providing logistics, armaments, and training expertise'. It 'will strengthen Ukraine's path to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine's own forces', the spokesperson added. Early designs for the Multinational Force Ukraine were originally drafted last month, after military chiefs met in Paris to agree a strategy and co-ordinate plans with the EU, Nato, the US and more than 200 planners. Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes. Recently, weʼve discussed with the U.S. and Europeans what can truly work. Everyone needs a just end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 15, 2025 Moments before Mr Trump touched down in Anchorage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that Saturday 'will start early for everyone in Europe' as leaders react to the Alaska summit. 'We continue co-ordinating with our partners in Europe,' Mr Zelensky said, and added: 'Russia must end the war that it itself started and has been dragging out for years. 'The killings must stop. A meeting of leaders is needed – at the very least, Ukraine, America, and the Russian side – and it is precisely in such a format that effective decisions are possible.' When he addressed the press, Mr Putin said he greeted Mr Trump on the tarmac as 'dear neighbour' and added: 'Our countries, though separated by the oceans, are close neighbours.' According to a translation carried by broadcasters, he claimed the 'situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security'. Stood next to Mr Putin in front of the words 'Pursuing Peace', Mr Trump said: 'We haven't quite got there but we've made some headway.' He stressed 'there's no deal until there's a deal' and added: 'I will call up Nato in a little while. 'I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I'll of course call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting.' Concluding their exchange, the US president said: 'We'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. 'Thank you very much, Vladimir.' Mr Putin replied: 'Next time, in Moscow.' Mr Trump said: 'That's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat for that one. 'I could see it possibly happening.'
