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Scotland’s First Minister has called the recent series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh a stark “wake-up call” regarding societal intolerance. John Swinney expressed deep concern over the events that left five men injured in the northern and western parts of the city on Friday. He described himself as “terrified” by what he fears might be the outcome of intolerance becoming increasingly accepted or “legitimised” within communities.
Swinney directly criticized members of the Scottish Parliament from the Reform party, accusing them of using divisive language that has fostered division among communities. In response, Reform MSPs rejected this linking of their political debate about mass migration with the violent attacks, calling it an unfair conflation. Meanwhile, a 36-year-old man related to the incidents was scheduled to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.
The violent episodes began near Broomhouse Mosque following Asr prayers on Friday evening, where two men were stabbed multiple times and required hospital treatment. Further attacks occurred on Leith Walk, including assaults on three additional individuals along with vandalism against a taxi and a petrol station. Police Scotland revealed that counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation. Swinney visited the mosque on Monday afternoon and spoke privately with two of the victims, noting their serious injuries and deep trauma, although he emphasized these attacks were “isolated” and reassured the public that communities can feel safe.
Despite this reassurance, the First Minister stressed the connection between political language in Holyrood and the growing divisions within Scottish society. He stated, “I have been calling out some of the language that has been used politically, most recently by the new Reform MSPs that have come into the Scottish Parliament.” Swinney continued, “I make no apology for doing so because I have been terrified that this is the type of stuff that comes from the legitimising of intolerance and division in our society and that’s what I’ve been calling out.” He warned that if such voices of intolerance are heard in parliament, it is no surprise that similar attitudes manifest in communities.
Thomas Kerr, deputy leader of the Reform party, condemned the attacks as “disgraceful,” emphasizing that “there was no place for racism and violence.” However, Kerr criticized Swinney for linking the violence with his party’s political stance, accusing the First Minister of treating the Scottish public with “contempt.” He commented, “Conflating the acts of a madman with a genuine debate around mass migration is treating the public in a shocking and contemptuous manner.” Kerr affirmed Reform’s commitment to representing working-class communities who feel overlooked by mainstream politics.
In response to the attacks, Police Scotland engaged with more than 90 multi-faith organizations across Edinburgh and reached out to affected businesses. Superintendent Neil Wilson of Edinburgh Police said he understood the heightened concerns among communities and stressed the importance of safety and support for all residents. He said, “It is important that all communities across Scotland feel supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation.” Wilson urged collective community efforts to ensure no one feels marginalized, emphasizing, “There is no place for violence, hatred, or intimidation in our communities.”
The sequence of assaults began at about 8:30 pm near Broomhouse Mosque in western Edinburgh. Two 22-year-old men, reportedly leaving Asr prayers, suffered multiple stab wounds and were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Subsequently, at around 9:15 pm, a taxi was vandalized with broken windows at a Shell garage on Telford Road, several miles away. CCTV footage captured a man next to a black vehicle with smashed windows at a BP garage on Ferry Road at 9:28 pm. This individual then caused disruption inside the shop before leaving.
Additional video obtained by BBC Scotland showed a bare-chested man armed with two large weapons parking on Leith Walk shortly after. The footage depicts the man chasing and attacking individuals, including a person on an e-bike and a man who had stepped off a tram, repeatedly wielding knives. The suspect also damaged a pizzeria door until shutters were closed for protection. Police arrived on the scene about five minutes after the man appeared in the street and arrested him. In one clip, an officer restraining the suspect hears him shout that he was “protecting the country.” Authorities reported none of the injuries were life-threatening. The other injured men involved ranged in age from 24 to 39 years old
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