Arrest over Sturgeon abuse

POLICE have charged a 64-year-old man with a “Communications Act offence” following online abuse against First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, a senior officer confirmed.

The police action followed a Sunday Herald investigation into posts about Sturgeon that included death threats, threats of violence and offensive and sexualised insults.

At least 150 tweets have been logged featuring hate speech directed at Sturgeon. Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and Tory leader Ruth Davidson have also been targeted.

Police Scotland detective superintendent Stephen Grant said: “Police Scotland monitors various social media sites on a regular basis and takes all reports of hate crime and abuse seriously. We are committed to keeping people safe both online and offline and to taking the action necessary to deal with criminal behaviour.

“Derogatory comments directed at the First Minister are the subject of ongoing review and in the past week a man has been charged in relation to a Communications Act offence.”

It is understood that the man arrested has been released. A report will now be submitted to the procurator fiscal.