A CALL has been made for the Scottish Government to create a fund to pay for security at places of worship following the terror attack at two mosques in New Zealand.

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar made the plea following the shooting in Christchurch that left 50 people dead and dozens wounded, pointing out that England and Wales already have such a scheme.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, he said: “No-one should have to fear for their own lives, especially within a mosque, a church, a synagogue or a gurdwara.

“There is a places of worship security funding scheme available in England and Wales, no such scheme exists in Scotland. Will the minister urgently consider this and commit the Government and agencies to work with all our faith communities to deliver it?”

In response, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said that, during a visit to the Glasgow Central Mosque, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon “committed to exploring what the Scottish Government could do to provide reassurances to all faith communities and their places and worship”.

She added: “Police Scotland has stepped up reassurance patrols around mosques and increased engagement with all faith communities, giving advice on how people and places can stay safe in these troubling times.”

Paying tribute to the New Zealand victims, Sarwar urged people to tackle the “us versus them rhetoric, the sowing the seeds of hate and the othering of our fellow citizens”. He added: “In the aftermath of this latest tragedy, it is important that we unite and work together to confront hatred in all its forms.”

Campbell suggested people reach out to Muslim communities and call out hate and toxic language by politicians, in the media and on social media.