Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has unequivocally branded protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers as “racist”. His strong condemnation follows months of demonstrations across the country, some of which have featured banners advocating for the deaths of individuals crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Mr Swinney joined a march through Glasgow on Saturday, organised by the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC), alongside other political figures. Speaking at a subsequent rally against racism and the far-right, he stated: “Many of the people who are participating in these protests against the asylum seeker hotels are people who are spreading racist hate in our country.”
When directly asked if the protests themselves were racist, Mr Swinney affirmed: “Yes they are. They are expressing hostility towards individuals and it is important that we confront that sentiment.” He was accompanied by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and independent Falkirk councillor Laura Murtagh, who has been a vocal opponent of the demonstrations in her constituency.
Ms Murtagh has called for the implementation of exclusion zones around hotels to deter protesters, a measure Mr Swinney said would require “detailed consideration” but did not commit to. Addressing the trade union rally, Mr Swinney praised those who counter-protest outside asylum hotels, asserting they were expressing “the true values of Scotland”.
Mr Sarwar echoed the sentiment of unity, telling attendees that tackling racism and prejudice transcended party politics. STUC general secretary Roz Foyer concluded the rally with a powerful message of solidarity: “St Andrew’s Day belongs to us all. Today we’ve shown that when working people unite together, we speak in one voice against hatred and division.”
