VANDALISM OF WAR MEMORIALS IS DESPICABLE, SAYS FIRST MINISTER STURGEON

Children from Christie Park PS in Alexandria attended a service at the cenotaph there.

By Bill Heaney

There are war memorials throughout Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute and services at them were well-attended on Remembrance Sunday.

So, people were genuinely shocked to learn that the centre-piece for for one of the best known and most prominently situated of these was vandalised over the weekend.

Conservative MSP Miles Briggs told the Scottish Parliament: “In the early hours of Monday morning, a war memorial in front of the City of Edinburgh Council office in the Royal Mile was vandalised in what was a mindless act and an appalling insult to our fallen war heroes.

“This has shocked and angered the local community in Edinburgh, and I hope that those who are responsible will be held to account in due course.

“Sadly, however, attacks on war memorials are increasing in Scotland. That is why my Scottish Conservative colleague Meghan Gallacher is bringing forward a bill to impose tougher penalties on those who attack and deface war memorials.

“Will the First Minister agree to consider Scottish Conservative proposals on this issue? What update can she provide on the investigation of Monday’s incident?”

The vandalism angered First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who told MSPs: “We will consider any proposals that are brought forward. I have not seen the detail of those proposals yet, but when they appear, we will give them due consideration. That is certainly important to do.

“With regard to the attack on the war memorial in Edinburgh, less than 24 hours before that despicable attack took place, I, among others, was privileged to lay a wreath at that war memorial in remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country and to allow us to enjoy the freedoms that we take for granted today.

“What happened in the early hours of Monday morning is almost beyond words—absolutely despicable, sickening and disgusting. It is beyond my comprehension—I am sure that it is beyond the comprehension of any of us—how anybody could attack a war memorial at any time of the year, but particularly just hours after Remembrance Sunday.

“It would not be appropriate for me to comment on an on-going police investigation; obviously, that is for the police to take forward.

“Where I will end these remarks, in agreement with the member, is that I really hope that those who are responsible for that despicable attack are identified and face the full force of justice.”