POLICE Scotland have retracted a claim that an officer was assaulted at an anti-immigration rally in Glasgow over the weekend.
The force had issued a statement on Sunday, September 21, claiming that a 47-year-old man had been arrested “in connection with an assault of a police officer during a protest on Buchanan Street, Glasgow on Saturday, September 20, 2025” .
However, in a “clarification” issued by the Police Scotland press office, the force has now retracted the claim.
Instead, Police Scotland said they are investigating a “separate police assault in the same area”. It is unclear if this alleged assault is linked to the anti-immigration protest.
The force has said that a 47-year-old man was actually arrested in connection with an assault on a member of the public at the protest. It is assumed to be the same 47-year-old the force accused of assaulting an officer, but that was not confirmed.
In the retraction, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 47-year-old man was arrested in connection with an assault during a protest on Buchanan Street, Glasgow on Saturday, 20 September, 2025.
“A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
“Enquiries are ongoing into a separate police assault in the same area.”
The National has asked for further details on how the false information was sent out to the media, and what Police Scotland intend to do to remedy any negative impact on the public’s trust in both them and the press.
The anti-immigration protest on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street on Saturday attracted hundreds of protesters, including from fascist groups such as Patriotic Alternative.
It had been organised by John Watt, a convicted domestic abuser and podcaster who claims to want to protect women and girls.
A large-scale counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism saw activists hold signs including "refugees welcome", "stop the far right", and "stop racist Reform UK".
