Keir Starmer has spoken out after a series of violent attacks across Edinburgh on Friday, leaving five people injured. The PM said the suspect appeared to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred
The Prime Minister has spoken out against the attacks in Edinburgh that left five people injured, stating the suspect appeared to be driven by “anti-Muslim hatred”.
Counter-terrorism officers were called in to probe a string of violent incidents across Edinburgh on Friday, with Police Scotland confirming a 36-year-old white Scottish man has now been charged. The force confirmed there is no further threat to the public.
Officers were dispatched to reports of an incident in the Sighthill area of the city, where two men were left injured, at approximately 8.50pm on Friday. Police subsequently received further reports of incidents targeting retailers across the west and north of the city.
Five men – two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39 – sustained a range of injuries. Three required hospital treatment, though none of the injuries are considered life-threatening. Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) organisation.
Sir Keir Starmer took to X, sharing an image of a bare-chested man wielding a large weapon, writing: “Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets.
“The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this – he will face the full force of the law. My thoughts are with those who are injured and I thank the police and the emergency services for their response.”
Videos circulating online showed a bare-chested white man wandering the streets of Edinburgh carrying a large weapon, while a separate clip appeared to show a man hammering on the door of a pizzeria.
Officers cordoned off Leith Walk on Friday evening as the situation developed, with further footage appearing to show a topless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” while being restrained by an officer.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney also denounced the violence in an online post on X, writing: “I am deeply concerned by these incidents. There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country. I met community groups last week to assure them of the strong support of the Government.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described herself as “horrified” by the violence, which appeared “to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred”, while Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton branded it “shocking”, expressing her thoughts for those injured and most directly affected.
Ms Mahmood said she was “grateful” to the police and emergency services for their “bravery in apprehending the suspect and for their speedy response in attending to the victims”. She added: “There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims. I know it is not who we are as a country.”
Assistant Chief Constable Paton said: “I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together. Officers responded to multiple reports of a fast-moving sequence of events across Edinburgh before arresting a man and public safety was our priority.
“Extensive work is ongoing to establish all the circumstances.”
The force is collaborating with Counter Terrorism Policing and operating under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. She went on to say: “I want to thank our officers who responded with bravery and professionalism, and with a focus on protecting the public.
“I’m hugely grateful for the support and assistance of our communities and would appeal for anyone with any information to share it with police.”
A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been established to enable members of the public to submit information directly to officers. Police are urging anyone with relevant information to upload it via an online form.
Scottish Government’s Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: “These attacks were awful and my thoughts are with those who were injured and affected by them. As Police Scotland have said, there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland.
“They have also confirmed that a man has been arrested, there is no threat to the public and their inquiries are ongoing. I encourage anyone with information to contact the police. This was clearly a very serious incident and my thanks go to the emergency services for their bravery and skill in bringing the incident under control.”
