Latest news with #TheGreatBritishNationalProtest
The National
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Government condemns asylum seeker rhetoric amid protests
Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart told The National that she is "deeply concerned about some of the rhetoric we are seeing in the UK" surrounding asylum seekers in response to comments made by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Demonstrations against asylum seekers staying in hotels have sprung up across the UK, including in Scotland, with those attending claiming they are making their communities less safe. Farage called for "peaceful protests" outside hotels housing asylum seekers "across the UK" to put pressure on local authorities to take the same route as Epping Forest, the district council in England which was granted an injunction to remove asylum seekers from a hotel due to a breach in planning permission. READ MORE: Could Scotland challenge hotels housing asylum seekers? A legal expert explains Writing in The Telegraph, he said: 'Wherever people are concerned about the threat posed by young undocumented males living in local hotels and who are free to walk their streets, they should follow the example of the town in Essex. 'Let's hold peaceful protests outside the migrant hotels, and put pressure on local councils to go to court to try and get the illegal immigrants out; we now know that together we can win.' Responding to comments by Farage, Stewart said: 'The Scottish Government firmly believes we must deliver a more effective and humane asylum system that treats people who may be highly vulnerable with dignity and respect. 'I am deeply concerned about some of the rhetoric we are seeing in the UK, which should have no place in our society. No one should have to fear they will be targeted for who they are and it is critical that everyone feels safe." Stewart (above) added: 'Refugees must not be scapegoated – they must be treated as valuable members of our communities.' Protesters in Perth, Falkirk, Aberdeen and Peterhead have all taken place outside hotels housing asylum seekers in recent weeks with another being held in Perth this Saturday, advertised on The Great British National Protest page. It comes after former first minister Humza Yousaf accused the Tories of 'deliberately trying to fuel hatred' against asylum seekers by presenting them as a threat to women and children. Yousaf said politicians like Robert Jenrick were 'reviving the old colonial lie that people from the east are somehow dangerous savages'. Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, has said he supports 'every peaceful protest outside an asylum hotel' and later attended one in Epping, where an asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Fears over Perth hotel protest as far-right 'emboldened'
Protesters in Perth, Falkirk, Aberdeen and Peterhead have all taken place outside hotels housing asylum seekers in recent weeks with another being held in Perth this Saturday, advertised on The Great British National Protest page. Sharing the protest, The Great British National Protest page stated "save our children, for our future," which echoes the name of the Falkirk group calling itself Save Our Future & Our Kids Future but continues to deny having any far-right links. Less than 100 previously turned out in Perth after false claims were spread throughout the community, however anti-racism campaigners now believe far-right actors are "emboldened" and are calling for trade unions and other campaigners to mobilise against the rising threat. READ MORE: 'This rhetoric leads to firebombs': Humza Yousaf issues warning over asylum debate While the court ruling that asylum seekers be removed from a hotel in Epping, Essex was won by the council against the hotel over the breach of planning rules, Reform UK and far-right protesters are taking the injunction as a "victory" for them. Nigel Farage has stated that the Epping community "stood up bravely, despite being slandered as far-right, and have won". The Bell Hotel in Epping was the site of protests in recent weeks after an asylum seeker who was housed at the hotel was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. At the protest in Perth on Saturday 9, protesters had gathered a handful of locals with fabricated tales that up to an extra 250 people were to be accommodated in the city. Perth and Kinross Council went on to deny the rumours. Protesters are again rallying, and Perth Against Racism is hosting a counter-demonstration to begin at 10am, while far-right protesters will gather, at the Radisson Hotel. The primary things aim of the counter-demonstrations is for campaigners to put themselves between the far-right demonstration and the hotel. READ MORE: English councils consider legal bids to remove asylum seekers from hotels In a statement, Stand Up to Racism (STUR) Scotland — who is supporting local campaigners — said that "it is critical that we gather in numbers to say refugees welcome". One organiser in Perth told The National: "What we're really keen to reiterate is Perth is a city of sanctuary. We have City of Sanctuary status, which means anyone that's coming into our city should be treated with warmth, respect, understanding and empathy about what they've been through. "And we're proud of that." Several private WhatsApp groups have been set up by the groups to organise, and this is concerning the community as to who is behind the protests as far-right actors piggy-back on local concerns. Referring to Falkirk and that a member of Patriotic Alterative took the mic, the organiser said: "As soon as Saturday came, the organisers lost control of the other protesters. If they come to our city, you can't control them. I'm quite worried about it." The group added: "It is more important than ever that we turn up loud and proud to show there is no place for lies, violence and bigotry in our society. Bring along your family and friends to show what real community means."
