A TOP Scottish Government minister is backing demands for police action over anti-Irish bigotry in Glasgow city centre.
Rangers fans were filmed chanting about the famine ahead of their team’s Old Firm march with Celtic on Sunday.
The videos have provoked disgust and anger among politicians and the country’s leading anti-Sectarianism charity, which branded the abuse “language of the sewer”.
The Rangers supporters, who were being escorted through the city centre by Police Scotland officers, chanted a song about the Irish famine, a 19th-century catastrophe which left more than one million people dead.
The lyrics tell Irish people to “go home” and claim they have brought “trouble and shame” to Scotland.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, formerly justice secretary, has now joined calls for an official probe.
He wrote on Twitter: “For those hurling racist abuse at our Irish community telling them to ‘go home’ – Scotland is their home.
“Disgusted to once again see anti-Irish racism rear its ugly head. Solidarity with our Irish community.
“I am sure Police Scot will hold those responsible to account.”
For those hurling racist abuse at our Irish community telling them to "go home" - Scotland is their home.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) August 29, 2021
Disgusted to once again see anti-Irish racism rear its ugly head. Solidarity with our Irish community.
I am sure Police Scot will hold those responsible to account.
Police Scotland has confirmed it is looking into the incidents.
The SNP's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, was another who condemned the scenes.
He posted: "This is not acceptable period. We cannot allow sectarianism or racism in our communities. When you see this it is clear there is a way to go to become a tolerant and respectful society. We all must stand against this behaviour and support our police in doing their duty."
Labour MSP Paul Sweeney added: “The 2009 judgement of Lord Carloway in the case of William Walls v. the Procurator Fiscal is very clear. The Famine Song is racist.
“[Police Scotland] should identify and charge those singing it in a public place with breach of the peace aggravated by racial and religious prejudice.”
The 2009 judgement of Lord Carloway in the case of William Walls v. the Procurator Fiscal is very clear. The Famine Song is racist. @policescotland should identify and charge those singing it in a public place with breach of the peace aggravated by racial and religious prejudice.
— Paul Sweeney MSP (@PaulJSweeney) August 29, 2021
The Rangers fans have been rebuked by anti-sectarianism charity Nil by Mouth.
Charity director David Scott told the Scottish Sun: “There is no celebration of football or identity here just ugly, bigoted hatred.
“This sort of garbage should be no more welcome in the 21st century as another prayer racially abusing Glen Kamara or morons on a supporters bus doing the same to Kyogo Furuhashi.
“It’s the language of the sewer.”
Pressure group Call It Out, which campaigns against anti-catholic bigotry and anti-Irish racism in Scotland, called on the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to take action and to "start by recognising our community".
The group tweeted: "This is the kind of racism you don't notice – day after day, week after week, year after year, decade after decade. When are you going to call it out?"
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of sectarian singing by a group of people in the Jamaica Street area of Glasgow on Sunday, 29 August, 2021. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel