REFORM MSP Thomas Kerr has been condemned for using "racist rhetoric" and calling for further anti-immigration "protests" after far-right disorder in Glasgow.
The Reform Scotland deputy leader told the BBC that he would encourage people to "make your voice heard”, but warned against violence and vandalism, claiming it would “play into the hands” of John Swinney and Keir Starmer.
He told the BBC that protesters should “send a very clear message to the Government that mass uncontrolled illegal migration is putting our country at a breaking point, enough is enough”.
Kerr’s comments were denounced by the Scottish Greens who said Reform's anti-migrant rhetoric “results in violence on our streets”.
It comes as the party’s leader Nigel Farage was accused of weaponising the attempted murder of a man in Belfast on Monday and the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton to stir up racial hatred. He called for the public to respond with “pure cold rage” to Nowak’s murder, with violent protests in the city leading to several arrests for disorder.
The scenes in Glasgow followed a stabbing attack on Monday night in North Belfast.
Sudanese man Hadi Alodid, 30, has appeared in court charged with the attack, with the 44-year-old victim, Stephen Ogilvie, said to have lost an eye as a result.
On the day of the disorder in Glasgow, Kerr accused the Scottish Government of “prioritising strangers over Scots”, telling the BBC on Wednesday morning that people should go out and protest again.
He told the broadcaster: “Go out and protest. Go out and make your voice heard. We have a fantastic tradition in this country of freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
“Go out there and make sure the government hears your voice, but do not vandalise, do not incite racism and do not show violence.
“Because as soon as you do that, you play into the hands of John Swinney and of Keir Starmer, who do not want to speak about massive, uncontrolled illegal migration. They want to turn it on you, so do not play into their hands, go out and protest peacefully, make sure your voice is heard, but do not take to the streets like we seen last night.”
Asked if that was encouraging violence, Kerr said he was talking about “peaceful protest”.
“We see Yes marches all the time, walking through our streets, that's not inciting violence, what it's saying is if you want to express your opinion to the government of the day, go out and do it peacefully,” he said.
“Do not vandalise, do not spread racism, do not do any sort of violence, but go out on the streets and send a very clear message to the government that mass uncontrolled illegal migration is putting our country at a breaking point, enough is enough.”
Police Scotland confirmed that the disorder in Glasgow city centre on Tuesday night led to members of the public being attacked for the colour of the skin.
The far-right violence has been widely condemned by Scottish politicians and ministers, but Kerr has continued to share claims that John Swinney prioritises “strangers over Scots” on social media.
In response to Kerr’s comments, Kate Nevens MSP, the Scottish Greens equalities spokesperson, said: “Thomas Kerr and Nigel Farage’s comments are exactly the kind of racist rhetoric that results in violence on our streets.
“Reform and their toxic policies have already contributed to unleashing a wave of hate, and in some cases violence, towards migrants and people of colour, simply for being migrants or their skin colour.
“Their shameful and constant demonisation of New Scots and racialised communities has contributed to people being targeted, intimidated and abused while empowering the thugs who are doing it.”
Nevens said that Reform have “fanned the flames of hatred and division".
“When senior politicians like Thomas Kerr have seen what happened and are calling for people to take to the streets again, it should set off alarm bells for everyone who believes in building a more equal and welcoming society,” she said.
“The fact he called on protesters to avoid overt racism – as a way of avoiding criticism from their opponents – doesn’t make it any better.
“We should all oppose racism and discrimination because they are completely wrong, not because of who it may help politically.
“The Scottish Greens will always stand up for New Scots, and we will always champion a Scotland that welcomes people, and stands shoulder to shoulder with everyone facing discrimination and violence.”
Worshippers at Glasgow’s largest mosque were locked in as tensions flared in Glasgow on Tuesday night.
Three men, one aged 31 and the others aged 18, were arrested on Wednesday, in which three members of the public and two police officers were hurt, Police Scotland said.
