Green Party co-leader was being interviewed for BBC when a man repeatedly shouted ‘deviant’ at him
Probe: Patrick Harvie blamed ‘toxic forces’ for a rise in homophobic attacks.
By Democrat reporter
Police Scotland has confirmed it is investigating alleged homophobic comments hurled at Patrick Harvie during a broadcast interview.
The Scottish Greens co-leader, who is from Dumbarton, was talking to the BBC on the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election campaign trail when a passer-by repeatedly shouted, “you’re a deviant” at him.
Harvie, who is bisexual, replied: “You’re a bigot”.
On Thursday, the Scottish Green Party said it had reported the comments to the police.
And by Friday, officers confirmed they were looking into the incident.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We are aware of alleged homophobic comments being made and enquiries are ongoing.”Harvie later said “toxic forces” in politics had brought about a rise in anti-LGBT attacks in the UK.
The housing minister, who is a vocal proponent of the Scottish Government’s controversial gender reforms, said: “The fact is there are some pretty toxic forces in politics at the moment that have unleashed homophobia and transphobia in a way that we haven’t seen in many, many years.
“Those who have cultivated this nasty kind of culture war against minorities need to take responsibility for verbal abuse like that but also for violence that we’ve seen rising against LGBT+ people.”
Anti-LGBT hate crime is rising, figures show.
In May, it was revealed that hate crimes aggravated by sexual orientation had more than doubled since 2013 to reach an all-time high.
Humza Yousaf previously lent his support to Harvie, saying: “I understand people hold strong views about politicians but there is simply no excuse, none whatsoever for bigotry and hatred aimed towards anyone.
“Disgraceful, disgusting and completely unacceptable. Solidarity with Patrick Harvie.”
A spokesperson for the Greens said: “We can confirm that the Scottish Greens have contacted Police Scotland to report a verbal attack involving homophobic language against our co-leader Patrick Harvie.
“This happened during a TV interview with BBC Scotland News at the launch of our Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election campaign on Tuesday lunchtime.
“No one in modern Scotland should have to endure anti LGBTI+ abuse or any other forms of discrimination.
“The safety and wellbeing of our MSPs, staff and activists is our primary concern and we will not tolerate such behaviour.
“We would urge anyone with information about this incident or that can lead to the identification of the individual involved to please contact police.”
Meanwhile, Tara Fitzpatrick reports for STV News, the Scottish Green party have claimed, Scottish Labour are “running scared” and “trying to play both sides” when it comes to trans rights and equality.
Labour have been called to declare where they stand on the principle of demedicalised self-ID for trans people and the UK Government’s use of a Section 35 Order to block Scottish Parliament legislation.
Ian Murray MP, Scottish Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, has not yet responded to a letter from Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman asking for clarity over the party’s stance on the issues.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has refused to say if he would still support the Gender Recognition Reform despite having voted for the reforms in December last year.
Chapman’s letter followed a number of statements by senior UK Labour politicians including the Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, expressing opposition to the issue.
Ms Chapman said: “It is very disappointing that Ian Murray is yet to reply to what are extremely basic questions about a policy that was rightly supported by the overwhelming majority of Labour MSPs and that was in the manifesto he was elected on in 2019.
“Self-identification is used around the world. It is normal. As the British Medical Association has said, the question of whether somebody is trans or not should not be a painful and medicalised process.
“Yet, since I wrote to Mr Murray we have seen even greater backtracking from his Party colleagues. I was particularly concerned to see Anas Sarwar, right, implying that he would no longer support the policy that he voted for.
”She continued: “From scrapping Section 28 to introducing equal marriage, the Labour Party has played an important role in advancing important equality legislation. Now they are running scared and trying to play both sides at a time when they should be standing with our trans community, who have been the target of a grotesque smear campaign.
“What happens in the months ahead will have a direct impact on the rights and lives of trans people in Scotland and beyond, and it is vital that all progressive parties play their part. We cannot allow the rights and lives of trans people to be cast aside or used as a pawn in a reactionary culture war.”
Ian Murray and the Scottish Labour Party were contacted for comment.
“Yet, since I wrote to Mr Murray we have seen even greater backtracking from his Party colleagues. I was particularly concerned to see Anas Sarwar, right, implying that he would no longer support the policy that he voted for.