Peter Lazenby
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SCOTTISH GREENS have demanded to know why police arrested or removed people who protested against monarchy at events in the run-up to the funeral of queen Elizabeth Windsor.
The party said today that it had written to Scotland’s Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone over “a series of high profile incidents” in the days before the funeral.
Green MSP and justice spokesperson Maggie Chapman said members of the public had raised concerns over freedom of speech and the right to protest – and that she has tabled questions for the Scottish Parliament.
“We are aware of a number of concerning incidents involving Police Scotland and members of the public during events last week,” she said.
“Given Scotland’s proud tradition of freedom of speech and peaceful protest, we are seeking urgent clarification as to what happened and why Police Scotland deemed it necessary to intervene in the way they did.
“With some proceedings remaining active, we are limited in what we can say.
“However, free speech and democracy are the very bedrock on which the Scottish Parliament was founded.”
Ms Chapman said that any action taken by the police must be “appropriate and consistent with this founding principle.”
Arrests in Scotland included those of a woman in Edinburgh who shouted during the accession proclamation of Charles Windsor as King, and a man who heckled disgraced royal Andrew Windsor as the Queen’s coffin passed by accompanied by members of the Windsor family.
Police Scotland said: “The Chief Constable will provide an update on Operation Unicorn at the Scottish Police Authority Board meeting on September 29.
“We will respond to correspondence in due course.”
