Statement from Chief Constable Iain Livingstone
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has made the following statement regarding events in Glasgow across the weekend.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “Across the weekend, thousands of Rangers supporters in Glasgow participated in spontaneous and intense mass gatherings. This should not have happened given the continuing public health crisis.
“Experienced officers, highly skilled in public order management, took appropriate steps to manage these challenging circumstances to protect people and minimise disruption to communities.
“Officers and staff worked, as they have done throughout this pandemic, with impartiality, professionalism and selfless commitment to public service. They have my personal support and I thank them for all that they do to protect their fellow citizens.
“Policing has stepped forward to take on additional responsibilities to support the significant restrictions on people’s freedoms of movement and association introduced by Parliament to combat the spread of coronavirus and save lives.
“Overall, across the last 12 months, the co-operation and support of the people of Scotland has been remarkable. I am very grateful for those who continue to demonstrate personal responsibility.
“I’ve been clear from the beginning of this pandemic that the strong relationship of trust policing has with our communities, underpinned by the principle of policing by consent, would be vital to the critical role officers and staff play in supporting the public health imperative.
“That’s why in April last year I commissioned John Scott QC to lead additional, independent and expert scrutiny of our policing response. I’ve been grateful for his Independent Advisory Group’s valued insight and challenge since it was established, including on the issue of mass gatherings and protests.
“I have asked Mr Scott to consider the events of the weekend at the next scheduled IAG meeting on Friday, 12 March, having regard to the fundamental human rights principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, and to consider any relevant issues for the policing of future events over the coming months.
“A number of senior officers, including those involved in the policing operation at the weekend, were already scheduled to attend this meeting. As has been the case throughout the last year, policing will benefit from the significant value the IAG brings to our thinking and operational practice.”
