Yousaf backs call to limit parades
BY ANDY PHILIP Political Correspondent THE Justice Secretary has backed calls to curb the number of marches, days after violent clashes on the streets of Glasgow.
Humza Yousaf said the disorder was a “stain” on the city’s reputation.
Rival hardline Republican and Loyalist groups were caught up in chaos over two weekends, leading to questions in Parliament yesterday.
Police were attacked and 11 people arrested as two marches descended into mayhem. And another 14 marches are planned this month, raising fears of outbursts of sectarian violence.
Glasgow MSP John Mason yesterday asked what the Government could do to limit the number of parades.
Yousaf said: “We all have a collective desire, a collective need and a collective interest to eradicate this kind of hatred from our streets.
“The citizens of Glasgow that I speak to have just had enough.
“They had had a tolerance for these kinds of marches for many a year and they have just had enough.
“So when it comes to Glasgow City Council’s desire to reduce the number of marches, I think that is a pretty decent place to start and they will get support from the Government in that endeavour.”
He added: “It does frustrate me that we’re having to talk about legislation for disorder that is committed by grown men here in 2019 in a multicultural city like Glasgow, when they are fighting battles of centuries gone by.”
Earlier, Mason said he wanted the Scottish Government to consider ways to cut the amount of demonstrations taking place.
“The quantity of marches is one issue and I would certainly like the Government and the council to be looking at if there are ways to reduce the marches,” he said.
Of the Republican or Loyalist marches planned in Glasgow during the rest of the month, four are expected to take place this Saturday while five are scheduled for the following Saturday.