Hard-Left hate mob forces Scots Tories to call off conference
THE Scottish Tories have been forced to abandon a party conference on police advice after plans emerged for a major protest by a hard-Left hate mob.
In an unprecedented victory for extremism, fears for the safety of Conservative members triggered the ‘depressing’ decision to abandon the Conservative event.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, Scottish Secretary David Mundell, former leader Annabel Goldie and MEP Ian Duncan were among those due to address the annual West of Scotland conference in Largs, Ayrshire, next month.
But the Scottish Daily Mail can reveal the event has now been switched to a secret location on an undisclosed date, after Tommy Sheridan’s pro-independence Solidarity party helped to organise a protest.
Activists wanted to re-create the frightening scenes witnessed in Manchester earlier this month at the UK Conservative Party conference.
Campaigners hurled abuse such as ‘scum’ at party members as they attempted to get in to hear political speeches. Eggs and other objects were thrown at delegates, and some individuals were even spat on.
At UK conferences, parties such
‘Depressing’ decision
as Labour and the Tories pay for extra security from firms such as G4S, on top of a heavy police presence. But the Scottish Tories cannot afford to hire a security firm for a smaller event such as the West of Scotland conference, where only around 75 members were due to attend.
It is understood the party was warned that as many as 300 people could turn up in Largs on November 7 for a six-hour protest outside the Brisbane House Hotel after the event was advertised in the local Press.
A Conservative source said: ‘It is depressing that events like this have to be cancelled and rescheduled in the face of threats from others.
‘It was an event intended for local members, and they are the ones being inconvenienced by it all. After the despicable sights caused by protesters in Manchester last month, we simply cannot risk a repeat of that happening here.’
A Facebook page for the planned protest was set up by Solidarity’s North Ayrshire branch. ‘Banners and flags and a good turnout is a must for this event,’ the site states.
Transport arrangements for protesters were put in place, with people offering to drive others to Largs, and there were plans to stream live footage of the demonstration on a pro-independence website.
Suggested ‘outfits’ included clothes emblazoned with swear words, and pig costumes in reference to a lurid allegation in a biography concerning David Cameron and a dead pig’s head.
The protest was due to last from 10am until 4pm, with speeches between 1pm and 2pm.
Organiser Trish Byrne, from Solidarity, posted on Facebook: ‘Anti-Westminster, anti-austerity, anti-Trident, anti-fracking, pro-indy etc, Solidarity, Greens, SNP, groups and individuals etc, hope to see you there. Let’s ensure the Tories are met with the opposition they deserve.’
Mr Sheridan, the former Scottish Socialist MSP and convicted perjurer, was among those listed as an attendee. Other people planning to go have online profile photographs carrying the SNP logo, although there are no Labour emblems. There is no suggestion of any official involvement by the SNP.
A Tory spokesman said: ‘The Scottish Conservative west region conference will now no longer be held at the Brisbane House Hotel in Largs on Saturday, November 7.’
A spokesman for Police Scotland added: ‘The decision regarding the event was taken by the organisers in conversation with the proposed venue.
‘Police Scotland officers spoke with the event organisers as a matter of course where a number of options were presented as to the appropriate stewarding requirements for the event.’
The Mail understands the Tories approached the police after discovering online comments about the planned protest.
A party source said the advice came back to cancel the event, unless the party could supply its own security workers.
Mr Sheridan could not be contacted for comment.
‘We cannot risk a repeat’