Police Scotland will assessment “at the very least one” incident throughout anti-monarchy protests stemming from the demise of the Queen, Scotland’s Justice Secretary has mentioned.
The power has are available for criticism since plenty of individuals protesting in opposition to the monarchy had been arrested throughout occasions to commemorate the late monarch in Scotland.
Throughout the proclamation of King Charles III in Edinburgh, a 22-year-old girl 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 superb, 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 might be realizedKeith Brown
Talking in Holyrood on Wednesday, Keith Brown praised the work of the police through the operation – dubbed Operation Unicorn – however mentioned he would discuss to Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone in a gathering on Thursday.
“I'm not capable of touch upon particular person instances however I do verify that Police Scotland do strategy their job firmly on the premise of human rights laws and function, in fact, underneath the precept of policing by consent,” he mentioned in response to a query from Labour MSP Katy Clark.
“They've confirmed there will likely be a proper debrief course of for Operation Unicorn and I perceive that Operation Unicorn will likely 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 befell whereas the operation was lively.
“I'm assembly with the chief constable tomorrow and can focus on these points with him with a view to , as ever, what classes might be realized from the operation and the way these might be utilized to future policing operations.
“I may also congratulate him and his power on an outstanding job, however the problems which have been raised by the member.”
It's not clear which of the incidents will likely be reviewed, nor what the end result of such a assessment could also be.
Ms Clark mentioned media stories across the arrests had steered the ways employed by the police had been “heavy-handed”.
In the meantime, Scottish Inexperienced MSP Maggie Chapman has written to Sir Iain to precise her considerations over the arrest.
“Free speech and the correct to protest are cornerstones of our democracy,” she wrote.
“I passionately imagine within the significance of every of those rights, even when the views expressed by individuals 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 duty and obligation to guard the rights of all individuals 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 are going to reply to correspondence in the end.”