Humza Yousaf calls for Home Secretary to quit over London protest scuffles
The First Minister says she has emboldened the far right
First Minister Humza Yousaf has accused Suella Braverman of emboldening far-right protesters after some clashed with police as they tried to reach the Cenotaph in London – and called for her to resign.
The Home Secretary has been under fire after branding pro-Palestinian demonstrators “hate marchers” and “Islamists” intending to use Armistice Day to dominate the streets of London.
She said in a newspaper article that police were using double standards when covering marches and were less stringent with Palestine supporters.
Just moments before the 11 am silence, hundreds of counter protesters clashed with police chanting “England til I die”.
The First Minister tweeted: The far-right has been emboldened by the Home Secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the Police on Armistice Day.
“The Home Secretary's position is untenable. She must resign.”
The Greens are supporting this. The Party's justice spokesperson, Maggie Chapman, said: “The shameful scenes and disruption we have seen today are a direct result of the smears and misinformation that has been amplified and spread by the Home Secretary and her colleagues. It is a disgrace of their own making.
“Suella Braverman has knowingly fuelled division and hate by recklessly demonising pro-Palestine protesters and those of us who are calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In doing so she has encouraged far right thugs and put people at risk.
“She is totally unfit for office. In her short and disastrous tenure she has doubled down on the racist hostile environment against migrant communities, spoken of her dreams of deportations to Rwanda and even tried to stop homeless people from using tents.
“If the Home Secretary had any dignity she would resign, and if the Prime Minister wasn’t so weak he would sack her.”
We’ve asked the Home Office for comment.
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.