Kenmure Street: Politicians condemn actions of Home Office
Pollokshields #Pollokshields
Nicola Sturgeon is making “urgent enquiries” into the attempted deportation of a family from her constituency, which has sparked a public protest and calls from politicians for the Home Office to stop the action.
Around 200 protesters have tried to prevent immigration officers from forcibly removing people from a property in Kenmure Street in Pollokshields, sitting on the road and in front of the enforcement van.
The First Minister, who was sworn in as an MSP earlier this morning, said she was “ready to offer any necessary assistance to those detained”.
On Twitter she said: “As constituency MSP, I am deeply concerned by this action by the Home Office, especially today in the heart of a community celebrating Eid. My office is making urgent enquiries.”
READ MORE: Glasgow residents gather and chant ‘deportations no more’ to block police and UK Border Agency allegedly attempting to deport neighbours
The SNP’s Immigration spokesperson Anne McLaughlin MP added: “The deplorable raid that we have witnessed in Pollokshields is a clear infringement of basic human rights and must be condemned in the strongest possible manner.
“It is distressing to see such a raid conducted during the holy religious celebration of Eid Mubarak. This is nothing short of immoral and deliberately antagonistic. The Home Office must immediately withdraw from the area and stand down their hostile home raids.”
Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, who stood for election in the Glasgow Southside constituency, said he was “disgusted” by the Home Office raids.
“It is particularly unacceptable that this is happening during a pandemic, in an area that has a spike in cases and on the day of Eid,” he said. “We need an immigration policy that is based on human dignity and human rights.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie also slammed the Home Office and said it was vital Scotland builds “an asylum system worthy of the name”.
He added: “It’s horrific that people have been forced to take such action to defend their most vulnerable neighbours from the brutality of the UK Home Office.
“The current regime, presided over by the institutionally racist Home Office, is inhumane. Scotland needs an asylum system worthy of the name, and asylum support provided to a standard that our communities can be proud of.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said officers had been in attendance to “support colleagues at the UK Border Agency” since 9.55am and “inquiries were continuing”.
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