A SCOTS indyref march organiser ignored a council order to ease “safety” concerns over an independence parade.

Mandeep Singh, of All Under One Banner, was told on several occasions that his proposals for a Glasgow march last May would cause “congestion.”

Despite various meetings and reminders the march went ahead on on the 40-year-old's original route.

He was charged the next day by police for not complying with the council's demands.

Singh pleaded guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to holding a procession otherwise than in accordance with a condition imposed in relation to the procession.

The court heard the Singh submitted a proposal to Glasgow City Council on 16 January 2019.

They had intended to leave from Kelvingrove Park at 1.30pm and end at Glasgow Green on a northernly route.

Singh corresponded through email with the council and a meeting was decided on 5 March.

Singh attended as did Police Scotland, Fire and Rescue and Glasgow City Council representatives.

Around 20-100,000 people were predicted to be at the march according to Singh’s estimates.

Council officials told Singh his route and start time of 1.30pm couldn’t be accommodated due to “congestion and the recovery process after the march.”

The council recommended an 11am start time.

Prosecutor John Bedford said: “Singh refused the recommendation put forward and stated he would perhaps bring it to 1pm.

“He wasn’t prepared to accept the significant time change.”

Singh stated the time was set due to accommodate people from across Scotland travelling to the march.

The group had also given out the time on social media to its supporters.

Singh was told to submit a temporary order to close the roads the group wished to march.

Mr Bedford said: “Singh never paid for the order and it wasn’t put in place.”

No agreement could be made regarding the issue despite further meetings between Singh and the council.

Singh also disagreed with the route designated by the council which would take the march south from Kelvingrove Park to Kelvin Way, Sauchiehall Street, Pitt Street, West George Street, George Square, High Street and Glasgow Green.

The council stated the changes were due to concerns over “public safety.”

Singh attended a police office the day before the march and was reminded about the measures in place.

Singh told the police that he was going to go on his original route and begin the march at 1.30pm.

He was reminded by officers on the morning of the march, but police had organised road closures in accordance with Singh’s original plan.

It is estimated 30-40,000 people attended the march which went north through Gibson Street and Woodlands Road before taking the council's route from Sauchiehall Street.

Police attended at Singh’s house the next day were he was cautioned and charged for the offence.

Lawyer, Bob McCormack, defending, told the court that having the march earlier that 1.30 was “not possible” due to the attendees from further afield.

He said: “Singh discussed the route and police manned that route.

“There was no deviation from the route that the police had taken which was followed to the letter.

“This wasn’t the route in writing but it was the route agreed by him and the police.

“They were in attendance at every part of the route.”

Mr McCormack added that Singh could lose his job as a taxi driver as a result of the conviction.

He requested an absolute discharge from Sheriff Paul Brown.

Sentence was deferred until next month for background reports by Sheriff Brown and Singh, from Glasgow’s Charing Cross, was bailed meantime.