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Peter Davidson

Nicola Sturgeon issues warning to COP26 protesters over Glasgow disruption

Nicola Sturgeon has issued a warning to protesters heading to Glasgow looking to cause disruption during COP26.

The First Minister said Police Scotland would carry out a "sensitive policing operation" throughout the summit which begins on Sunday.

World leaders and around 30,000 delegates will descend on the SEC in the city until November 12.

There will also be thousands of climate activists including Greta Thunberg who will head to Glasgow for marches and rallies.

Sturgeon was quizzed by Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross during a fiery First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament earlier today.

He asked: "Will the First Minister reassure the people across Glasgow that there will be a zero tolerance approach to protest that disrupt people going to their work, including doctors and nurses, and ambulances carrying urgent need of medical care."

Sturgeon replied: "I'll be having further discussions with the Chief Constable over the course of today and tomorrow around this.

"He has been very clear that there will be a sensitive policing operation that will do everything possible to facilitate appropriate and peaceful protest.

"Police Scotland will respond to any protests that seek to break the law and of course disrupt people beyond what would be considered reasonable.

"People do want to come to make their voices heard. I think that is understandable given the importance of the issues under discussion.

"What I would say to people looking to come to protest in Glasgow. Come, do it peacefully and do it with a recognition that the people of Glasgow are agreeing to host this conference are suffering some disruption because of that.

"So don't add to that disruption for them."

The SNP leader also issued a warning to Glaswegians about disruption around the city over the next couple of weeks while the conference is on.

She told MSPs: "There will be disruption and inconvenience over the next two weeks.

"I know that will be regretful in many ways but I think the majority of people in Glasgow understand the importance of the COP26 summit and the future of the planet."

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