First Minister leads tributes at Holyrood

CAMPAIGNING for the General Election was suspended in Scotland yesterday with the SNP manifesto launch postponed following the attack.

The First Minister led meetings of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee which was also attended by justice secretary Michael Matheson and Police Scotland officials.

Nicola Sturgeon then addressed MSPs, with the other party leaders also paying heartfelt tributes to victims, their families, emergency service workers and others who had been caught up in the attack.

A minute’s silence was observed in the chamber as flags outside flew at half mast, and a book of condolences was opened.

Miss Sturgeon said: ‘My thoughts, those of this parliament, indeed all of the people of Scotland, are with those who have lost loved ones or sustained injuries in this dreadful atrocity.

‘Across Scotland today we stand in solidarity with the people of Manchester.’

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said it was ‘beyond our comprehension’ how someone could ‘deliberately choose to target innocent children and young people’.

She said: ‘We know many of those affected are young – children, teenagers and young people experiencing the thrill of a night out. A carefree evening ripped apart by terror, leaving behind parents, family and friends. We cannot imagine their pain today.’

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: ‘Being at a gig is a moment of sheer joy. Last night that joy was destroyed in a despicable act of cowardice.

‘What we can do is respond well. We can teach our children that the only way to counter such barbarity is not with hate and with fear, but with compassion, tolerance, kindness and love – like the people of Manchester did last night.’