Neil Gray

We must stand against racism, hatred and intimidation and those who would seek to divide our communities.

Scotland is a diverse, multicultural, inclusive and welcoming nation and those who choose to make their lives here are valued members of our communities.

Any form of hatred, prejudice, intolerance or violence on our streets is abhorrent – and perpetrators will be brought to justice.

The scenes in Glasgow today were totally unacceptable. This has been a deeply distressing day for members of the public in Glasgow.

I recognise that these proposed changes are bold and hope this can contribute to thoughtful debate on the consequences of not addressing a rising prison population and also the outcomes of any sentence for a crime committed.

The focus now moves to implementing the law, as clarified by the court, maintaining a clear focus on the safety, wellbeing and rights of all those living and working within Scotland’s prisons.

Following careful consideration of Lady Ross’s judgment, we accept the ruling and have decided not to appeal.

These attacks were awful and my thoughts are with those who were injured and affected by them.

There is no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland.

We should celebrate it. We should protect it and cherish it, and always, always stand up to those who would seek to divide, intimidate, cause fear and alarm, including in this Parliament.

Let me be crystal clear, there is no place for racism, hatred, and intimidation in our society, nor the actions of those that seek to stoke those sentiments and division.

Violence and racism have no place on our streets, and I utterly condemn the actions of the mindless few involved in the disorder and assaults that took place in Glasgow.

This continues to be a very distressing situation for the residents.

The MRA’s decision is absolutely critical to plot the route forward for the residents so I made clear to them that they have an absolute responsibility and moral obligation to take this decision as quickly as possible.

I have expressed to the Mining Remediation Authority my significant concern that its investigations will take at least another eight weeks to find the source of the ground movement, due to the impact this will have on so many households.

We will put the needs of victims and the safety of wider society central to the work that we continue to do over the course of this five-year parliament.

...we will put the needs of victims and the safety of wider society central to the work that we continue to do over the course of this five-year parliament.

My heart goes out to the families of Kayden and John for the significant trauma that they must be experiencing.

These two cases are shocking and incredibly traumatic.

Of course, we would consider the likes of knife amnesties if that is something that the likes of the police and other partners feel would be helpful.