Politicians ‘should know better’ over claims of police bias following George Square and Kenmure Street incidents
Politicians who engaged in "whataboutery" when comparing the Kenmure Street and George Square policing responses should "know better", according to an advisory group.
Documents to go before the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) meeting today outline the difference between the two events in Glasgow, the first in relation to Border Force operations on May 13 – when a crowd of protesters surrounded a Border Force van on Glasgow's Kenmure Street which had two men detained inside, preventing it from leaving – and the second to do with Rangers fans' celebrations of the club’s league triumph on May 15.
A letter from John Scott QC, of the independent advisory group, updates the board about discussions over the policing of assembly and protest in a pandemic where he draws the conclusion there was no bias from the force in either incident.
He said: "Members of the public have expressed a range of views on the apparent tol
erance of gatherings in Glasgow, contrary to coronavirus regulations.
"Some have suggested that neither event should have been allowed to develop into a large gathering.
"That is to ignore the right of peaceful assembly which, especially outdoors, should be given considerable weight, even in a pandemic.
"Some have compared the two events (many have mentioned earlier events as well in inevitable albeit often incomplete comparison) and suggested that Rangers supporters were treated differently than the Kenmure Street protesters.
"They are right but really only at a point when public order considerations required action to prevent serious injury and damage to property.
"In fact, serious injury was suffered by police officers and others on May 15.
"That alone should be sufficient to distinguish the two events and explain the policing approach, despite attempts by some to indulge in 'whataboutery', including some politicians, who should know better."
The letter goes on to say the approach to handle such incidents should not be determined by public support or abhorrence for a particular group or cause.