Furious backlash over tweet claim

T in the Park and cup final ‘showed skill’

A Police Scotland claim that this year’s T in the Park and Scottish Cup final were examples of skilful event policing has provoked a furious reaction.

As senior police bosses attended the Scottish Police Authority’s public board meeting at the Stirling Court Hotel, a tweet from the force’s official Twitter account sparked controversy.

It stated that the T in the Park music festival in Perthshire and the Scottish Cup at Hampden final both “demonstrated Police Scotland’s skill in policing major events”.

The tweet was branded “misguided” by Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Claire Baker as controversy over both events still rages.

At T in the Park two teenagers died of suspected drug abuse at the camp site.

In addition, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner is probing the handling of the death of a third festival-goer, father-of-three James Richardson – found dead 10 miles away two days after the event finished.

A cash machine containing £30,000 was also stolen from the festival.

At the cup final football fans invaded the pitch following May’s dramatic game between Rangers and Hibs.

The scenes have led to more than 60 arrests so far.

Ms Baker said: “There are concerns over policing at the Scottish Cup final and questions have to be asked about T in the Park. It’s not unreasonable to expect Police Scotland to reflect on the policing at both events. It’s not the right time for Police Scotland to be congratulating themselves.”

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “There are many occasions where police officers do a great job in testing circumstances. But it does not serve Police Scotland well to claim that T in the Park and the cup final are great examples of that service.”

One Twitter user with the handle @BazBowski posted: “Are you serious? TITP deaths due to drugs, sexual assaults, stolen cash machines, Cup mass pitch invasions and players assaulted.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Today we highlighted two events in the context of a number of operations where significant resources have been deployed throughout the summer months.

“These operations involved significant planning and preparation and officers responded to incidents which arose and dealt with a range of spontaneous criminality, disorder and public safety issues as was the case in both the Scottish Cup Final and T in the Park.” jmilligan@thecourier.co.uk

There are concerns over policing atthe Scottish Cup final and questions have to be asked about T in the Park. CLAIRE BAKER MSP

Picture: PA. Hibernian fans invaded the Hampden pitch after the Easter Road men defeated Rangers in the Scottish Cup final in May.