olice Scotland will evaluation “at the very least one” incident throughout anti-monarchy protests stemming from the demise of the Queen, Scotland’s Justice Secretary has mentioned.
The drive has are available for criticism since various folks protesting towards the monarchy have been arrested throughout occasions to commemorate the late monarch in Scotland.
Through the proclamation of King Charles III in Edinburgh, a 22-year-old lady was arrested in reference to a breach of the peace after an anti-monarchy signal was held up. A 22-year-old man was arrested in reference to the identical offence after the Duke of York was heckled as he walked in a procession with the Queen’s coffin within the metropolis.
A 3rd man, 74, pleaded responsible to breach of the peace close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and obtained a £350 high quality, and different incidents obtained publicity.
I’m assembly with the chief constable tomorrow and can focus on these points with him with a view to , as ever, what classes could be realized
Talking in Holyrood on Wednesday, Keith Brown praised the work of the police in the course of the operation – dubbed Operation Unicorn – however mentioned he would discuss to Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone in a gathering on Thursday.
“I’m not in a position to touch upon particular person instances however I do verify that Police Scotland do strategy their job firmly on the idea of human rights laws and function, after all, below the precept of policing by consent,” he mentioned in response to a query from Labour MSP Katy Clark.
“They’ve confirmed there shall be a proper debrief course of for Operation Unicorn and I perceive that Operation Unicorn shall be mentioned on the Scottish Police Authority board later this month – the suitable discussion board for doing that.
“I additionally perceive it will embody reviewing at the very least one of many incidents that occurred whereas the operation was energetic.
“I’m assembly with the chief constable tomorrow and can focus on these points with him with a view to , as ever, what classes could be realized from the operation and the way these could be utilized to future policing operations.
“I may even congratulate him and his drive on an excellent job, however the problems which have been raised by the member.”
It’s not clear which of the incidents shall be reviewed, nor what the end result of such a evaluation could also be.
Ms Clark mentioned media experiences across the arrests had prompt the techniques employed by the police have been “heavy-handed”.
In the meantime, Scottish Inexperienced MSP Maggie Chapman has written to Sir Iain to specific her issues over the arrest.
“Free speech and the best to protest are cornerstones of our democracy,” she wrote.
“I passionately consider within the significance of every of those rights, even when the views expressed by folks exercising them are views with which I disagree.
“I’m additionally of the agency perception that, in a functioning democracy, views that run opposite to these of the institution needs to be allowed to be expressed, so long as they don’t incite hate.
“Police Scotland has the accountability and responsibility to guard the rights of all folks in Scotland, not simply these in energy or in management positions.”
A spokesman for Police Scotland mentioned: “The chief constable will present an replace on Operation Unicorn on the Scottish Police Authority board assembly on September 29. We’ll reply to correspondence in the end.”
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