Officer hit with egg and 'number of hate crimes' to be investigated after Glasgow protests

A police officer was hit with an egg, and a number of hate crimes have been reported after protestors faced off in Glasgow city centre.

An anti-racism protest was met with a counter-protest outside the Glasgow Concert Hall on Saturday, just days after hundreds of people wearing masks marched through the streets following the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie in Belfast.

Five people, including two police officers, were injured during the unrest.

The force said members of the public had been “attacked due to the colour of their skin”.

A significant police operation took place on Saturday as demonstrators faced off. Police were seen separating both groups on Buchanan Street with barriers. Footage sees one man, wearing a union jack mask, confronting protestors before being led away.

Demonstrators faced off in Glasgow city centre. STV News

A 53-year-old man was arrested for threatening a police officer and another officer was struck by an egg which had been thrown. Individuals were issued with city centre dispersal orders for their conduct following the protest.

The force has confirmed that a number of hate crimes which were reported will now be investigated.

Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan said: “We did warn that officers would respond decisively and robustly to keep communities safe, and I want to thank the public for their patience while the demonstration took place.”

Unrest across Scotland following Belfast attack

On Wednesday evening, a protest was held outside a hotel in Greenock that has been used to house asylum seekers.

A 32-year-old man was charged with a hate crime, and two other men were arrested and issued with fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour offences.

Smaller demonstrations have also been held in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Perth, Ayr and Paisley with no arrests made.

Following the scenes witnessed across the country, John Swinney warned of a “rising tide of the spread of hateful rhetoric” in Scotland, which is “inciting people to behave in a reckless, aggressive and thuggish fashion”.

The First Minister attacked Reform UK, accusing the party of “stirring up hatred within our society”.

He went on to criticise Reform’s deputy in Holyrood, Thomas Kerr, who urged people to protest on Wednesday, but to remain peaceful.

In a statement on Wednesday, the First Minister said: “The scenes we saw in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr last night are unacceptable.

“Scotland is a welcoming nation, and those who choose to make their lives here are valued members of our communities.

“Racism, hatred and intimidation have no place in Scotland. We must stand against it.”

Nearly 20 arrests as violence in Belfast continues

In Belfast, 19 arrests have now been made since street violence first erupted on Tuesday.

Police in Northern Ireland have said Thursday night was “much calmer” with only “lower level disturbances” compared with the disorder of the previous two nights.

Disorder flared in response to a knife attack on Monday night, in which a man suffered significant injuries, including the loss of his left eye.

Stephen Ogilvie, who is in his 40s, also suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back in the stabbing attack in the north of the city – a graphic video clip of which went viral. On Thursday, it was said he remained in an induced coma, but his condition was said to be improving.

Sudanese national Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared in court on Wednesday, charged with attempted murder over Monday’s knife attack.

Alodid entered Northern Ireland across the Irish border by bus in February 2023, having flown to Dublin from Paris.

He then claimed asylum upon arrival and was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.

On Tuesday night, mobs set homes, a bus and cars on fire in Belfast, with people targeted based on their race.

Water cannons were deployed in Co Antrim on Wednesday after police were pelted with bricks, and a Department for Infrastructure vehicle was left in flames. There was also serious unrest in Portadown, Co Armagh. Twelve police officers were injured on Wednesday evening.

Foreign national healthcare workers have also been subject to threats and intimidation.