THE victims of a series of alleged anti-Muslim attacks have been “deeply traumatised” by what happened to them, John Swinney has said.
The First Minister spoke to some of those who were injured by incidents across Edinburgh on Friday evening.
Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate what happened, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying that the incidents appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred”.
Swinney sent his “deepest sympathy” to all those affected by Friday’s violence – which resulted in a 36-year-old white Scottish man being arrested and charged by police.
The First Minister told the Press Association: “I have spoken to some of the young men who were injured as a consequence of this act on Friday evening, they are not only physically injured but they are deeply traumatised by the attack. ”
He said he wanted to send a message of “solidarity and sympathy and empathy” to them and also to the wider Muslim community in Scotland.
Swinney said it was “just unbearable to talk to those young men who’ve been affected by this incident and injured by it”.
But the First Minister stressed it was “important that I’m here to express the solidarity of the Scottish Government and the political leadership of Scotland with the community who will be traumatised”.
He said that Friday’s “violent” incident could have “enormous consequences for cohesion within our community”.
In the wake of the incidents Swinney stressed it was important to show “leadership about tolerance and inclusion within our communities”, saying that “those are the values that I espouse at all times”.
He added: “Nobody will ever hear from me anything that in any way undermines that message of cohesion within the community.
“That is what we must be about, about bringing people together, about understanding and respecting each other, that’s fundamentally what our dialogue has got to be about, and that’s what people will rely upon from me as First Minister.”
Recalling how he was brought up in a nearby part of the Scottish capital, Swinney said: “I used to kick footballs around in this community.
“This was always a very welcoming, inclusive community, a community that was brought together, so it’s heartbreaking to experience what we’re experiencing now.”
But he said the incidents “reinforce the importance” of encouraging people from a young age to “understand and appreciate the strength that comes from diversity”.
Swinney added: “That’s what this community represents.”
Superintendent Neil Wilson, of Police Scotland, made clear that “there is no place for violence, hatred, or intimidation in our communities” in light of Friday’s incidents.
The police officer added that concerns might be “heightened” in the wake of the “horrific attacks”.
He said: “It is important that all communities across Scotland feel supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation.”
Since Friday Police Scotland has spoken to more than 90 multi-faith organisations and community leaders in Edinburgh and across Scotland, with Wilson adding that local policing officers have visited businesses affected by the incident.
He said: “We are carrying out a community impact assessment and will closely monitor the situation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all communities, and we are prepared to respond promptly to any emerging issues.”
While Wilson stressed there was “no wider threat”, he said the ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing Scotland was continuing, with support from local policing officers in Edinburgh and other specialist national capabilities in Scotland.
He urged people to use a Major Incident Public Portal which has been set up to send any information they have to the force.
Wilson said: “We would appeal to anyone with information that could assist with inquiries to upload it using the online form, including those with doorbell or dashcam footage.”
He continued: “I would urge everyone to continue to work together and ensure no person or group in Scotland feels marginalised or isolated.
“We are a police service for every community.”
