Organiser of pro-indy march gets reported to authorities

One of the organisers of what was billed as the“biggest ever” Scottish in dependence march has been reported to the procurator fiscal after allegedly failing to meet conditions set down by the local authorities for the event.

Manny Singh, of the All Under One Banner (AUOB) group, refused to bring forward the start time for last Saturday’ s march from 1:30pm to 11:30am, despite a formal request from a Glasgow City Council committee based on the recommendation of emergency services.

Council officials placed conditions on the march, altering its start time and route, due to serious concerns regarding public safety and disruption to the wider community.

Singh, described as operations director for AUOB, argued that an earlier start time would disrupt prior travel plans made by those hoping to attend.

He claimed to have “reassured” Police Scotland at a meeting last week that organisers could halt the march if emergency services required access in case of an incident.

Singh was reported under section 65 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, which states that anyone can be convicted of holding a procession that does not comply with the relevant council order.

“I will be defending this charge to the fullest,” Singh said.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said a 39-year-old man would be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal for failing to comply with conditions imposed on a procession.