Swinney accuses Reform MSP of ‘trivialising’ alleged anti-Muslim attack

John Swinney has accused a Reform MSP of “trivialising” an alleged anti-Muslim terrorist attack in Scotland.

Thomas Kerr was accused on Wednesday of laughing during a Holyrood speech by Labour MSP Daniel Johnson on the impact of the language used by Reform amid the incident in Edinburgh.

Mr Johnson had suggested a link between the rhetoric used by Reform and violence before angrily accusing Mr Kerr of laughing.

The Labour politician mentioned Reform’s use of the term “fighting age”, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s call for “cold rage”, and the claim of a “two-tier” justice system against white people.

During First Minister’s Questions on Thursday as he answered a question from Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord, Mr Swinney accused Mr Kerr of laughing.

Lord Offord had asked about a potential inquiry into jailed former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, including Nicola Sturgeon answering “no comment” in her police interview.

As he responded, the First Minister said: “Oh, it’s all very funny, Mr Kerr. You’re always laughing at things.

“Mr Kerr was laughing at the very substantial points made by Daniel Johnson in the debate where Mr Kerr trivialised the attacks on Muslim members of our community, which is an absolute disgrace.”

Mr Kerr said Mr Swinney and Mr Johnson’s claims were a “desperate and dishonest smear”.

He said: “I did not laugh at a serious incident. I laughed at the ridiculous performance from Daniel Johnson and John Swinney as they sought to exploit it for political gain.

“Anyone claiming otherwise either hasn’t watched what happened or is deliberately misrepresenting it.

“Violence is no laughing matter. Political opportunism from the same politicians who have spent years failing Scotland, however, is often beyond parody.”

A 36-year-old white man appeared at court earlier this week charged with six counts of attempted murder linked to terrorism.

Five people were hurt during the incident on June 19.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at the time that the attack appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred”.

During FMQs, political leaders expressed their sympathies with the victims.

Mr Swinney said the “feeling of unease” in the Muslim community is “palpable”.

Speaking about the victims, who he met earlier in the week, he added: “My heart goes out to them for the trauma and the physical injury they have suffered.

“I reiterate my absolute wholehearted commitment to give the leadership to ensure we live in a tolerant and inclusive country at all times.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the attack as “appalling”.

He told MSPs: “No Scot should live in fear and every Scot should live in safety.

“Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and with the wider Muslim community.

“I want to put on record my thanks to all the emergency services who responded so quickly and effectively.

“I think we should say loudly and clearly from this Parliament and across the country that an attack on one, whether it is individual or one community, is an attack on all of us, and hate has no place in our Scotland.”

Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said: “I am sure everyone in this chamber will join me in expressing solidarity with Scotland’s Muslim community after the brutal and unprovoked attacks on the streets of Edinburgh last weekend.

“That community’s response to those attacks has not been one of violence or revenge – it has been a plea for tolerance and for understanding, and in a society where that feels increasingly rare, we would all do well to listen to them.”