Scotland's gang war 'halted as Mr Big running out of footsoldiers and lying low'
A gang war which has resulted in a number of shootings and firebombings across the central belt has shuddered to a halt after the crime lord behind the attacks began to 'run out of footsoldiers', according to underworld sources.
Ross McGill, who has been waging war on associates of Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson and the notorious Glasgow-based Daniel clan, is believed to be 'lying low'.
A number of businesses, properties and cars linked to Richardson and the Daniel family have been torched during an barrage of terrifying attacks spreading across the east and west of the country since March.
Those associated with Richardson have repeatedly been targeted, with vehicles torched and several homes allegedly shot at by masked gunmen.
A group called Tamo Junto (TMJ) have continued to taunt their rivals by releasing videos of the attacks and threatening further violence as Dubai-based McGill seeks revenge for an underworld heist.
It is claimed an associate of Richardson paid for a stash of drugs with fake notes after building a relationship with the crime lord. McGill, in retaliation, supposedly used his criminal contacts to wage war on those involved in the deal.
Due to police cracking down on those involved in the gangland feud, however, it has been suggested McGill is now "lying low" after officers investigating the series of violent incidents made a total of 55 arrests.
A source told Edinburgh Live McGill has been left with fewer footsoldiers to do his bidding as several weeks have passed since the last gang-related incident in the capital.
They told our sister title: "Word is McGill is lying low and has taken a backseat. The Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan shootings in Spain was mental as well so things have calmed down a little after that.
"From the beginning there have been more and more characters getting involved and competing to see who was the bravest basically. It has all just become so messy."
It was reported earlier this month McGill was confronted by another gangster at a gym in Dubai over the heat he has brought. Stephen 'Jimmy' Jamieson is understood to have confronted McGill during the bust-up.
The most recent arrest linked to the gang war, named Operation Portaledge by police, came on Friday, July 18, when a man was arrested and charged in connection with wilful fireraising and firearms offences.
Jordan Steele, 38, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, July 21, in connection with the alleged firebombing of the Belle Cheveux salon in Leith on March 6.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
He was charged with firearms offences, including possessing a firearm without authorisation. Steele made no plea and was granted bail.
A 26-year-old male was also arrested in connection with alleged damage at a property on Walter Scott Avenue in Edinburgh on Thursday, 12 June, and an alleged wilful fire-raising at a property on Jackson Way in Tranent on Friday, 13 June.
In addition, another 26-year-old man was also charged in connection with two alleged vehicle fires in Port Seton on Sunday, May 18 - he will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Ryanair is forced to apologise after telling widow her dead husband would have to apply for £827 refund
A widow was left in tears when Ryanair refused to refund her dead husband's £827 flights - telling her he needed to complain from beyond the grave. Yvonne Shields' husband Colin Shields booked his flights to Venice, Italy, last year and was meant to fly out in September to represent Scotland at a powerchair football match. Colin was tetraplegic after he had an accident 14 years ago and needed two essential carers to accompany him on the flight, whose tickets he paid for. But when Colin tragically passed away due to brain bleed in April 2025, Yvonne contacted Ryanair customer support to notify them and request a refund. The 44-year-old said she was told she could not get a refund for the carers' tickets as it was against Ryanair's policy despite Colin having paid for them. She was promised a refund of only £258 for his ticket but claims she has not even received that either, adding: 'It's so upsetting and trivial.' When Yvonne got back in touch to chase the refund, she was reportedly told they could not disclose any information unless they speak to the original booker - despite being informed the 'booker is dead'. The mother said she even provided Ryanair with Colin's death certificate and proof that she is the will executor, but they still refused to speak with her and ended the chat. Ryanair have since apologised for the ordeal and said that she was 'regrettably incorrectly advised wrongly' by their customer service agent. Yvonne, from Glasgow, Scotland, explained: 'They said there's nothing else we can help you with and ended the chat.' She said the lack of empathy and understanding from Ryanair is frustrating and caused her to burst into tears. The mother-of-two said it is a lot for her to deal with while also handling grief and feels like she is 'bashing her head on a brick wall.' Yvonne added: 'I burst into tears because I have quite a lot to deal with right now since Colin passed. It's a lot. 'It's not like you're getting this clean slate to start again. I constantly have to deal with things. 'I've got two kids as well, 14 and 17, and it's dealing with their emotions as well. 'The fact they're not even giving me the money back is infuriating. It's like bashing your head on a brick wall. They're trying to speak to someone that isn't here, it's an unreasonable request. 'It's frustrating, it's devastating, you feel like you're nothing. We've dealt with so much because of his disability. Things are always that little bit tougher, harder.' Colin was paralysed from the chest down after an accident in 2010 and developed a condition called autonomic dysreflexia, which meant his blood pressure could soar and cause a stroke if not treated - which is what led to his brain bleed. Yvonne said: 'Colin had an accident 14 years ago, a month before our youngest was born. It's just constant battling and I feel tired, I feel drained, sometimes I want to just ignore it but my sister says 'you're not ignoring this, they stole from you.' 'It's the lack of empathy, lack of understanding, it's not a bog-standard person going on a flight, it's a disabled person. 'If you had a family member who died, surely you would think it's all cancelled.' A Ryanair spokesperson said: 'Mr Shields was due to travel from Edinburgh to Venice on September 16, 2025, but passed away prior to this flight. 'Mrs Shields attempted to submit a refund request on April 26 and was advised to submit a death certificate and proof of executorship. 'On June 30, Mrs Shields was informed that a refund (£257.58) was issued and was regrettably incorrectly advised by a customer service agent who wrongly believed that the other two passengers on the booking were not entitled to a refund. 'Our Customer Service Department would be happy to further assist this passenger to correct this customer service agent's error and assist this passenger with their refund.' Ryanair admitted the customer service agent also incorrectly informed Yvonne that the refund of £257.58 would be sent to her husband's Ryanair wallet, instead of the card used to pay for the booking.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Five Celtic fans slapped with Italian stadium bans for 'provoking opposition' by waving Palestine flags
There were unsavoury scenes behind the goal as both sets of fans became embroiled in an ugly row Como's police chief has slapped five Italian-based Celtic fans with stadium bans totalling eight years for 'provoking opposition fans' by waving the Palestinian flag. The Hoops' opening Como Cup clash against Ajax on Thursday was overshadowed by ugly clashes between both fans as Brendan Rodgers' side crashed to a 5-1 defeat. Flashpoints flared in the stands after Palestinian flags were unfurled in the Celtic end and now the city's police chief has come down hard with a no-nonsense response. Como police commissioner Marco Calì confirmed five Hoops fans based in nearby Lecco have been handed lengthy bans from all Italian stadiums. And while he insisted it wasn't the flag itself that sparked the punishment, he claims the behaviour crossed the line. Calìsaid: "The bans for the Celtic fans were issued for provocation, not for the Palestinian flag itself. "Despite the utmost respect for the suffering of a people, the stadium is a place with rules. And failure to comply with them, obviously, has consequences. "The rules on what can be brought into a stadium during a football match include a strict ban on bringing symbols, banners, or flags with political overtones. This is because the stadium is a sporting venue. "The central issue was their behaviour during the match. They came down from the stands and approached the Dutch fans, who were very calm, with the sole intent of provoking. "Their behaviour was gratuitous and provocative, and we must say, we cannot accept this because it risks inflaming tempers. "The stadium is a place with rules. And these impose on the authorities the obligation to intervene if symbols with political connotations, not football-related ones, are brought inside. "But I reiterate, the bans were not because of the Palestinian flag." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Terror probe as man arrested 'after shouting Allahu Akbar and death to Trump' on flight from Luton to Glasgow
A man has been arrested over a disturbance on board an easyJet flight to Scotland. The suspect was removed from the aircraft, which had travelled from London Luton Airport, after it touched down at Glasgow Airport at about 8.20am on Sunday. Footage is circulating online which appears to show a man on a plane shouting something about a "bomb", along with "death to America, death to Trump" and "Allahu Akbar" - an Arabic phrase that means "God is greater". The man is then tackled to the ground and pinned to the floor of the aircraft by two men. Police Scotland said a 41-year-old man was arrested and remains in custody. The force said enquiries are continuing, with a spokesperson adding: "At this time we believe the incident was contained and that nobody else was involved. The incident comes as US President Donald Trump is currently enjoying a private visit to Scotland. An easyJet spokesperson said: "Flight EZY609 from Luton to Glasgow yesterday was met by police on arrival in Glasgow, where they boarded the aircraft and removed a passenger due to their behaviour on board. "EasyJet's crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other customers is not compromised at any time. "The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority."
