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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Nadeem Badshah (now) and Aamna Mohdin (earlier)

Glasgow attack: police name injured police officer – as it happened

We are now closing this live blog. Please read our full report here

A summary of today's developments

  • A police constable is among six people seriously injured after multiple stabbings at a hotel in Glasgow.
  • The male suspect was later shot dead by police.
  • Police Scotland Chief Constable, Iain Livingstone, paid tribute to officers including constable David Whyte, 42, who was stabbed. He is in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
  • The other men in hospital are aged 17, 18, 20, 38 and 53.
  • The attack was at the Park Inn Hotel on West George Street at around 1pm.
  • Police said the stabbings in Glasgow city centre were not terror-related.
  • The incident is thought to have taken place in the hotel’s reception area, with a receptionist thought to be among the victims, and in a stairwell.
  • The hotel had been housing around 80 asylum seekers during the coronavirus pandemic.

David Hamilton, from the Scottish Police Federation, said he had been in contact with the injured officer’s family, who has been subsequently named by Police Scotland as constable David Whyte.

Hamilton told Sky News: “This is horrific. This is something you dread as a police officer.”

Updated

An armed specialist police officer runs as he responds at the scene of a fatal stabbing incident at the Park Inn Hotel in central Glasgow.
An armed specialist police officer runs as he responds at the scene of a fatal stabbing incident at the Park Inn Hotel in central Glasgow. Photograph: Robert Perry/AFP/Getty Images

Police attend the scene of a fatal stabbing incident at the Park Inn Hotel in central Glasgow.
Police attend the scene of a fatal stabbing incident at the Park Inn Hotel in central Glasgow. Photograph: Robert Perry/AFP/Getty Images

Friday’s Guardian front page.

Police officer stabbed during attack named by Police Scotland

Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has paid tribute to officers including constable David Whyte, who was stabbed during the knife attack.

Livingstone said:

Terrible incidents such as we have seen today are, thankfully, very rare in Scotland. This event has understandably shocked the people of Glasgow, and indeed, the whole country.

“My thoughts and very best wishes are with those who have been injured and their families, including our colleague constable David Whyte who was seriously injured in the course of doing his duty. I offer my personal support to all those affected.

“Officers have once again run into danger to protect their fellow citizens. Their professionalism as police officers was outstanding. I pay tribute to their bravery, selflessness and commitment to protecting the public.

“I briefed the First Minister and the Prime Minister earlier today on the circumstances and advised them both that we are not treating the attack as a terrorist incident.

“It is essential enquiries are now carried out to establish the full circumstances and all speculation must be avoided.”

Mears Group issues statement on attack

Mears Group, an asylum accommodation contractor used by the Home Office, said:

Mears Group is deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic events in the heart of Glasgow today.

We are contracted by the Home Office to provide housing and support services to asylum seekers in Scotland.

We will not anticipate a live police investigation, but we can confirm that the attack happened in a hotel where we are housing asylum seekers during the lockdown period.

We will provide more details as we are able to and our priority is to look after the welfare of our service users who will no doubt be traumatised by this terrible event. Tonight, we also think of the staff in the hotel and our colleagues at the scene – all are in our thoughts.”

The Independent’s front page.

The Scotsman’s front page.

A selection of tomorrow’s front pages now, starting with the Telegraph.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said they were at the scene of the incident within five minutes.

Updated

At just after 1pm on Friday, the streets of Glasgow city centre – until then quiet as many of Scotland’s lockdown restrictions remain in force – were flooded with emergency vehicles.

Eyewitness footage shows up to a dozen police cars and vans and two ambulances flocking around the Park Inn hotel on West George Street. Spilling out of them were armed police officers, others carrying riot shields and paramedics in full PPE.

Tom Flanagan Karttunen, of the Radisson Hotel Group, said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic event that happened today on West George Street in Glasgow.

“During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the hotel has been occupied for temporary housing.”

He added: “We are working with the hotel owner and all the relevant local authorities, including Police Scotland, to support the investigation.”

Here is what we know about today’s attack.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, has posted this message of solidarity on Twitter.

Updated

Mears Group, an asylum accommodation contractor, is believed to have been employed by the Home Office to relocate around 400 asylum seekers in Glasgow during the pandemic, according to The Daily Telegraph.

They were re-homed across six hotels in the city, including at the Park Inn hotel where the attacks happened.

Updated

John Barrowman MBE, the Glasgow-born actor, tweeted a video from California saying he had woken up to the “horrific, horrible news about the stabbings”.

Some eyewitness accounts.

Chris Falchi-Stead was hosting a meeting at the Big Issue’s office, close to the Park Inn Hotel where the stabbings took place.

He said: “When we looked out the window we noticed there must have been 20 or 30 police cars and about 10 ambulances.”

Stuart Gibson, who lives on West George Street near the hotel where the incident happened, told the BBC: “Armed police rushed into the hotel, it made it look as if they were looking for something.

“There was certainly one person who was carried out by police.”

A tweet from the Scottish Refugee Council.

Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s justice minister, has called for communities in Glasgow to remain united.

Positive Action in Housing, a campaign group, has criticised private housing provider Mears, which is subcontracted by the Home Office, for moving refugees from self-contained accommodation to hotels.

A spokeswoman for Positive Action in Housing said the 91-room Park Inn Hotel was housing asylum seekers for the Mears Group, which moved them there during the coronavirus lockdown.

A Mears Group spokesman said: “We are referring all inquiries to the Home Office as this is an ongoing police operation.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident at West George Street in Glasgow, which is currently being investigated by the police.”

The hotel at the centre of the stabbing incident in Glasgow has been used to house asylum seekers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Radisson confirmed the Park Inn was partly being used as temporary accommodation, a policy which has received criticism from campaigners.

Nicola Sturgeon referred to the tensions, which have surfaced in the city’s George Square amid protests about the living conditions of refugees, when talking about the incident today.

At least six people were arrested on June 17 following scenes labelled “disgraceful” by the First Minister, when far-right loyalists targeted the rally.

Asked about the hotel being used to house asylum seekers, Sturgeon said: “Of course people are worried and yes people have an understanding of the location and what that location has been used for in recent times, but beyond that I don’t think it’s helpful for people to speculate.

“Clearly there have been some tensions in Glasgow as there have been in other parts of the UK in recent times, but I want to send a message to people across Glasgow and across Scotland: when dreadful things like this happen, they shock all of us to our core but above all this should remind us of what unites us and not what divides us.”

Updated

Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, was asked about a suggestion that Glasgow was a “powder keg” and the incident could lead to further disorder in the city.

Earlier this month there were violent scenes in the city when far right supporters turned up at a rally in support of refugees.

Aitken said Glasgow had faced tragedy in the past and would come through it by supporting each other and not allowing communities to become divided.

She told Reporting Scotland: “I would absolutely urge anyone not to politicise this, not to use this to divide the city.”

Aitken added: “There has been a lot of speculation this afternoon which hasn’t been helpful which doesn’t help. It’s not fair to the victims, it’s not fair to the victims’ families and it doesn’t help the city.

“Glasgow needs to pull together, we need to have each others’ backs and support our communities through this. Division is the last thing we need.”

A witness, an asylum seeker who was moved to the Park Inn Hotel by authorities three weeks ago, said he was awoken by screaming just after 1pm.

Speaking on condition of anonymity he told The Times: “I looked out the window and saw a crowd of people gathered outside. I heard people screaming for help and was really worried so I went outside.

“I summoned the lift but when the door opened it was covered in blood, all over the walls. I took the stairs and came down.

“When I got downstairs I saw one of the male receptionists. He was covered in blood. He had been stabbed in the abdomen.

“There was blood all over the carpet. At the entrance I saw two police officers.

“They were assisting another receptionist who had also been stabbed, on the stairs at the entrance.

“They were lying on the ground. I immediately called my mother and told her to stay in the room with the door locked and stay as calm as possible.

“When I came outside people were shouting and saying the man was still inside the hotel. I feel so lucky that I didn’t encounter him when I was trying to get out.

“It’s terrifying thinking what could have happened. A few minutes later a police officer came outside with his face covered in blood. He looked like he’d been in a struggle.”

A Number 10 spokesperson said: “The PM has this afternoon spoken with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about the incident in Glasgow.

“He has also held a meeting with the Home Secretary and senior police officers, in which he was updated.

“The Prime Minister thanked the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Iain Livingstone, for the exceptional bravery of his officers at the scene. The PM’s thoughts remain with the injured and their loved ones.”

Craig Milroy was working nearby and said that he saw an injured man lying on the steps outside the Park Inn Hotel.

He added he saw up to seven people being taken away in ambulances.

Craig said: “I saw a man with no T-shirt, no shoes lying on the ground with what looked like a stab wound with someone compressing the wound.

“We looked further up and we saw a large police presence. Then we saw the man with the stab wound being taken away in an ambulance being put on oxygen.

“After that the police came over, told us to move into our office and lock the doors. That’s when the alarm bells started ringing,” he told the BBC News Channel

“The man we saw, it looked maybe like he had tried to run away from the hotel.

“The man we saw outside our office, it looked like maybe he tried to escape any incident that happened but before that it looked like everything was happening within the hotel.”

Aamer Anwar, a human rights lawyer in Scotland, has posted this defiant message on Twitter.

Anas Sarwar, the MSP for the Glasgow region, has responded to a tweet from Nigel Farage, the Brexit Party leader, about the attack.

17-year-old among injured in hospital, police confirm

Police Scotland have posted a series of tweets detailing their response to the attack in Glasgow today. Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said:

Police responded to a report of an incident at the Park Inn Hotel in West George Street, Glasgow, at 12.50pm today.

Officers were on the scene within two minutes, and armed officers shortly afterwards, and the incident was quickly contained.

A man was shot by armed police and has died. Six other men are in hospital for treatment, including a 42-year-old police officer, who is in a critical but stable condition. The officer’s family is aware.

The other men in hospital are aged 17, 18, 20, 38 and 53. Liaison officers have been appointed. Our thoughts are with the families of those who were injured, including our officer.

The incident is not being treated as a terrorism and our investigation is continuing into the circumstances. There is no wider risk to the public, however the street remains closed and people should avoid the area.

As would be the case in any police discharge of firearms involving a fatality, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to investigate

Updated

Nicola Sturgeon says Glasgow attack not terror-related

Nicola Sturgeon said police have confirmed the stabbing in Glasgow city centre was not terror-related.

Updated

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: 'Thoughts with six people injured'

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has responded to the serious incident in Glasgow’s West George Street.

The First Minister said:

First and foremost my thoughts are with all those people who have been caught up in this terrible incident, particularly the six injured people taken to hospital for treatment, as well as residents and staff at the hotel.

I also want to thank all of those police officers whose quick and decisive actions contained the incident – one of whom was among those taken to hospital – as well as the work of the other emergency services. The Justice Secretary and I have been kept informed through the afternoon and briefed by the Chief Constable.

While such a serious incident is rare in Scotland it is another reminder of the courage and professionalism of our police officers who are willing to run towards danger in order to protect the lives of others.

Clearly there is already much speculation around this incident, which remains under investigation.

I would urge everyone to avoid such speculation, to not share potentially harmful or upsetting material on social media and to follow police advice while investigations are underway.

Glasgow attack not suspected to be a terrorist incident

The incident has been assessed by Counter Terrorism policing HQ in London and determined not to be a terrorist incident. It will be investigated by Police Scotland.

Health secretary Matt Hancock has also released a short statement thanking emergency staff.

Updated

Police sources had earlier confirmed that three victims had died in addition to the suspect. This remains unconfirmed by Police Scotland.

If you’d like to share eyewitness accounts or news tips direct with our journalists then please get in contact via our form. You can also get in touch via WhatsApp by clicking here or adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.

Scotland ambulance service have told residents to only call 999 in an emergency.

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has also released a statement in response to the incident in Glasgow today.

The Scottish Police Federation, which represents the police officer seriously injured in the hotel incident, said his stabbing had caused a great deal of anxiety amongst other officers and for the officer’s family.

In a statement from David Hamilton, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said:

Whilst there is understandable and considerable public interest in the major incident in Glasgow earlier today, our focus at this time is in assisting the family of our colleague who has been seriously injured.

This is obviously an anxious time for them and we ask that they be left alone as their attentions are very obviously directed towards the care of their loved one.

Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with our colleague, his family and friends, and all colleagues affected by this incident at this time.

Updated

Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s justice minister, has tweeted the latest from Police Scotland. “Thoughts continue to be with all those affected,” he said.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has described the reports coming out of Glasgow as “extremely concerning” and asked residents to stay away from the area.

Police confirm suspect is dead and six other people currently in hospital for treatment

Assistant chief constable Steve Johnson said in a statement:

The individual who was shot by armed police has died. Six other people are in hospital for treatment to their injuries including a police officer, who is in a critical but stable condition.

We are continuing to deal with the incident on West George Street #Glasgow and would ask people to avoid the area. We would urge the public not to speculate about this incident or share unconfirmed information on social media.

Libby Brooks, the Guardian’s Scotland’s correspondent, is currently on the scene. Witnesses have spoken of their fear and confusion over the major incident on West George Street.

Updated

The Guardian understands three people have died. The alleged perpetrator was shot by police and one officer has been injured. This has not been confirmed by Police Scotland

Updated

Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s justice minister, has urged people to not share unconfirmed reports of the major incident in Glasgow.

This shows the area where the incident took place:

Map

Updated

A witness has told LBC he saw a man enter the reception area and stab two people.

“I was a resident on the third floor in Park Inn. I’m staying with my mum there. So what happened was I heard ... noises, loud noises you see. Woman screaming and man screaming for help, but I couldn’t see from my window what’s going on. But I could see people standing there and looking towards the hotel,” he said.

Updated

Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow city council, called for residents to stay away from the scene.

Updated

One man who witnessed the aftermath of the attack described seeing two people lying in the reception area of the hotel suffering from stab wounds in the abdominal area.

The man, who asked not to be named, said “one of them was fighting for his life, gasping for breath.”

He described being alerted to the incident when he heard calls for help from the ground floor. He said that one of those injured was a Scottish man in his thirties who was working at the reception.

Updated

It is understood the injured police officer, thought to have been one of the first police on the scene, was stabbed and seriously injured by the alleged assailant.

The source confirmed the suspect was shot dead by police, while the other injured people were all stabbed.

The counter-terrorism police are monitoring the situation.

Updated

Prime minister Boris Johnson and home secretary Priti Patel have both recently released statements thanking emergency services and send their thoughts to family affected.

Updated

The Guardian understands that counterterrorism police are monitoring the situation.

Assistant chief constable Steve Johnson said in a statement:

We are continuing to deal with the incident on West George Street and would ask people to avoid the area. However, I would like to reassure the public that this is a contained incident and that the wider public is not at risk. Armed police officers attended the incident and I can confirm that a male suspect was shot by an armed officer. I would like to reassure the public that at this time we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident.

I can also confirm that a police officer was injured while dealing with the incident and that officer is receiving treatment in hospital.

Police Scotland said the incident was “contained” in a statement and that the wider public is not at risk. The force also confirmed that armed police officers attended the incident and a male suspect was shot by an armed officer.

Updated

The Guardian understands that the Park Inn hotel was one of a number of hotels used to house asylum seekers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Police confirm male suspect shot by an armed officer

Sky News reports that Glasgow police have confirmed the male suspect was shot by an armed officer. The police have also confirmed that a police officer was injured and is receiving treatment in hospital.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has said an officer has been stabbed during a major incident in Glasgow. The organisation, which represents rank and file police officers, said the family of the officer has been informed.

Updated

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has told residents to stay away from the area in a recent tweet.

Three people were stabbed in the stairwell of a hotel in Glasgow and have died in what’s been widely described as a serious incident, according to a report by the BBC.

The BBC is reporting the suspect was shot by police. It is believed the suspect is dead.

Armed police were seen entering building in Glasgow,Police in Glasgow warned the public to avoid a central area of the city.

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