Man arrested after anti-immigration protest involving masked group in Glasgow

Footage posted on social media showed protesters, some dressed in black and others with masked faces, facing police on a street in the city.

A Glasgow City Council traffic bulletin said Parkhead Cross in the east end was closed on Wednesday evening because of an ongoing police incident.

The road later reopened, though the council said a police presence remained in the area on Wednesday evening.

Footage appeared to show people shouting “Glasgow’s had enough” and “send them home”, with several police vehicles at the scene.

Police said a man was arrested over an alleged police assault.

Politicians said such behaviour has “no place in modern Scotland”.

David Linden, the SNP MSP for Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston, said on Thursday: “The sight of a masked mob running through the streets of the east end, chanting anti-migrant slurs, is deeply unsettling to our community.

“I’ve been in contact with Police Scotland for a briefing on the incident, as well as to seek assurances that the necessary resources are in place to reassure constituents, who are understandably concerned about the scenes that took place last night.

“This type of behaviour has no place in modern Scotland.

“Our communities are enriched by our diversity and racial hatred from cowards in ski masks will not be tolerated. The people of the east end are better than this.”

Scottish Labour MSP for Glasgow Paul Sweeney said: “People are entitled to protest peacefully, but it is unacceptable for this organised, masked, far-right gang to continue to attempt to intimidate Glasgow communities.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a crowd gathered in the Westmuir Street area of Glasgow on Wednesday night.

“Officers attended and one man, aged 32, was arrested and charged in connection with a police assault. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal. The officer did not require medical treatment.

“The group later dispersed.”