Neo-Nazis have posted stickers in Glasgow proclaiming “white zones” since the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU), according to a Glasgow MSP.
Labour MSP Anas Sarwar, whose father Mohammad was the UK’s first Muslim MP, said there has been an increase in hate crimes since the Brexit vote.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is preparing legislation for another independence referendum if all other options to keep Scotland in the EU are exhausted.
In an emergency debate at Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said the UK that Scotland voted to remain part of in 2014 no longer exists.
In response, Mr Sarwar said: “The First Minister makes the point, rightly, that the UK is not the same now as it was in 2014.
“But I put it to this parliament that the EU may not be the same in two years as it is now.
“Let’s not have some romantic view of the politics on mainland Europe.
“I bitterly oppose the right-wing politics of Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, but be in no doubt that they are made to look like moderates compared to Marine Le Pen of the French National Party who could be president next year.
“Or the rise of the far-right party in Germany who planned violent protests in Europe and are attempting to build a base across the UK too.
“Or indeed the Slovakian Prime Minister who said ‘multiculturalism is fiction – Islam has no place in Slovakia’.
“This man may take over the rotating presidency in the coming weeks.
“Or indeed the many other mainstream or populist parties who have amongst them climate-change deniers, anti-Semites or Islamophobes.
“Since Thursday we have seen an increase in hate crimes. In Glasgow, neo-Nazi stickers have gone up proclaiming ‘white zones’.
“But we should send a message to all minorities that are here: this is your home and we stand with you in peace, in unity.
“To the spreaders of hate we say directly: it is not our minorities that aren’t welcome here but you and your hateful views that are not welcome in Scotland and the UK.”
