First Minister John Swinney has said an anti-immigration protest in his Perthshire constituency has been “deeply unsettling” for his family and caused “enormous distress” in the local community.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Swinney said the demonstration in Blairgowrie on May 2 had significant implications for his family. “I am limited in what I can say, because there have now been arrests made in relation to that incident, but let me just say how unsettled we have been as a family by what’s happened in recent days,” he said.
Four men, aged 58, 48, 44 and 33, have been arrested and charged in connection with threatening and abusive behaviour following the protest. Police Scotland confirmed they had been reported to the Procurator Fiscal and were expected to appear at Perth Sheriff Court on Thursday, May 7.
Swinney described the community he represents as “very quiet and placid, welcoming, inclusive” and said the distress was shared by many residents who witnessed the events.
