Counter-demo over far-right protest - The Press Association

(UKPA) – 2 hours ago 

Around 200 officers are on hand to police an unauthorised demonstration by a far-right group, an MSP has claimed.

Police and riot vans gathered at Glasgow's St Enoch Square to meet demonstrators from the Scottish Defence League (SDL). Opponents of the SDL have branded them "neo-Nazis masquerading under the flag of Scotland".

The SDL had applied to Glasgow City Council to hold a parade through the city, but their application was withdrawn after political party leaders, trade unions, religious groups and campaigners signed an open letter in protest at the march.

The SDL indicated that they intended to hold a "static demonstration" instead. Some SDL demonstrators are understood to have gathered in St Enoch subway station beneath the square. One entrance to the station was sealed off.

A counter-demonstration by anti-fascist groups, trade unions and political parties also took place in nearby George Square.

SNP MSP Humza Yousaf, who drafted the protest letter sent to Glasgow councillors, attended the George Square counter-demonstration. He said there were about "200 police at least" and a number of riot vans at St Enoch Square.

Mr Yousaf added that about 100 people from Unite Against Fascism, The Green Brigade and other organisations also gathered at St Enoch Square to resist the SDL gathering, and a further 100 or so people from the trade union movement and political parties met at George Square to voice their protests.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie, whose constituency office is on St Enoch Square, said he "would be surprised if there were more than 20 to 30" SDL demonstrators. He said: "There were a huge number of police, a sizeable number of anti-fascist campaigners, and really quite a small number of the EDL (English Defence League) and SDL types, who I would call racist thugs.

"I think it was pretty intimidating to a lot of people to see that kind of attitude on the streets, but I think most people in Glasgow clearly want an inclusive, tolerant, multi-cultural society and have no time for these kinds of aggressive thugs."

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said they do not comment on the specific number of officers involved in operations, but added that the demonstration was covered appropriately and no arrests were made.

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