John Swinney has branded a protest which took place in Ayr last night as "unacceptable." More than 100 people gathered in the town's Wellington Square as part of similar scenes across the nation. The protest followed a knife attack in Belfast the previous night, which has led to a 30-year-old Sudanese man appearing in court charged with attempted murder.
Protest Details
A series of protests were mobilised via social media after graphic footage of the attack was shared online throughout yesterday. The protest in Ayr, along with others across Scotland, has today been condemned by First Minister Swinney. Posting on X, he said: "The scenes we saw in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr last night are unacceptable. Scotland is a welcoming nation and those who choose to make their lives here are valued members of our communities. Racism, hatred and intimidation have no place in Scotland. We must stand against it."
Court Appearance
Hadi Alodid, with an address in Duncairn Avenue in north Belfast, appeared via video link from Musgrave Serious Crime Suite at court this morning. He is also charged with possession of a knife in a public place and threats to kill an NHS worker. The charges came following a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night. A man in his 40s remains in hospital with serious injuries to his eyes, neck and back after the attack in Kinnaird Avenue. The court heard the victim lost his left eye in the incident. Alodid was remanded into custody.
