Tommy Robinson-backed Glasgow rally cost taxpayers £57,000 in police overtime pay

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The policing overtime of a Tommy Robinson-backed rally in Glasgow earlier this year cost taxpayers almost £57,000.

Thousands of protestors gathered at George Square on September 7 after Robinson, who has multiple convictions for a variety of offences, used social media to plug a "pro-UK" event in the city. But masses of campaigners from Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) turned out to outnumber the far-right rally.

The demonstrations came after plans were made by SUTR to "unite against racism and fascism" in Glasgow following riots in England and Northern Ireland in July and August. The unrest took hold following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside.

Misinformation spread online and claimed an asylum seeker was responsible for the girls' murder. The event in Glasgow was managed heavily by police, who maintained order by keeping both sides apart in George Square as speeches took place in the city centre.

Riot cops and the mounted force were also drafted into the safeguarding operation. In figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request by the Daily Record, it cost the taxpayer £56,562 for the overtime of police officers and a further £604 for further staff for the entire day, where two people were arrested.

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David Kennedy, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said: "The safety and security of the public are the police's foremost priorities. Events of this nature often attract heightened tensions and can pose significant risks, including public disorder, clashes between groups, and potential harm to individuals or property.

"It is the police's duty to ensure that all members of the public, regardless of their views or affiliations, can exercise their rights to assembly and free speech in a safe and secure environment. This all comes at a cost and the Scottish Government should be properly considering this when setting budgets in policing that don't meet the demand."

Scottish Liberal Democrats justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said: "While the police exist to protect everyone's right to protest, it's hard not to think this money could have been far better spent on paying for officers on the beat, rather than keeping Tommy Robinson fans from taking over a major city square. Luckily Scotland was spared the civil disorder that overtook other parts of the UK but that doesn't mean that there aren't people looking to fan the flames of division if they possibly can."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A proportionate policing plan was in place for a planned protest in George Square, Glasgow, on Saturday, September 7. The nature of policing is unpredictable and overtime is a flexible mechanism which can help maintain an effective service for all our communities."

Robinson was jailed for 18 months in October after admitting contempt of court by repeating false claims against a Syrian refugee. Real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, he admitted 10 breaches of a High Court order made in 2021 at Woolwich Crown Court.

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.

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