Sturgeon's lawyer is reported to police by MSP for 'hate speech'

By GRAHAM GRANT, SCOTTISH HOME AFFAIRS EDITOR Published: 15:15, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 15:25, 30 July 2026 Nicola Sturgeon’s lawyer has been reported to the police by an MSP for ‘hate speech’ after allegedly encouraging ‘hostility towards a section of Scots’. Glasgow MSP Thomas Kerr, deputy leader of Reform UK Scotland, said he had complained to Police Scotland about comments made by human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar. Mr Anwar represents former First Minister Ms Sturgeon and has spoken on her behalf following her estranged husband Peter Murrell’s embezzlement conviction. The report to police by Mr Kerr came after Mr Anwar claimed in a speech that ‘when politicians like [Reform UK leader Nigel] Farage and Thomas Kerr demonise migrants [and] call for “pure, cold rage” – hatred will spread’. He accused Mr Kerr and Mr Farage of spreading ‘racist bile’ and claimed ‘racists now think they’re legitimate because Farage gave them a script’. Mr Anwar told protesters at a demonstration that ‘their racist bile will not build a single hospital, help a single homeless person, keep a woman safe in her home or on our streets, nor will it lift a single child out of poverty. ‘It is not… legitimate concerns, it’s pogroms, it’s terrorism.’ Writing on X, Mr Kerr said: ‘I have reported Aamer Anwar to Police Scotland for the speech he gave on July 25 in Glasgow Green.  Accusations: Lawyer Aamer Anwar His comments go beyond robust political debate and, I believe, have the effect of encouraging hostility towards a section of Scots based on their political views, nationality, ethnicity and cultural identity.’ An email sent from Mr Kerr to Police Scotland alleged Mr Anwar had been ‘referring to campaigners concerned about illegal immigration as “terrorists”’, and that he had claimed Mr Farage was ‘radicalising’ Scots. In response to the police complaint, and referring to clashes that erupted at an anti-migrant protest in Glasgow at the weekend, Mr Anwar said Mr Kerr ‘claims to have called out Saturday’s violence, yet several of his Reform members stood next to the thugs, many of whom were masked whilst racist abuse, threats of violence, and Nazi salutes took place’.  He added: ‘I doubt Reform has handed over a single name or video of these thugs to the Major Investigation Team at Police Scotland.’ Violence erupted at Glasgow Green and around the city centre on Saturday after the anti-immigration rally was met by counter protesters. According to officers, 1,700 people took part in the protests, with 15 people arrested for offences including assault, possession of offensive weapons, breach of the peace, obstruction and resisting arrest. Officers said some protesters, including a large group of around 100 people who made their way into the city centre, engaged in violence, disorder, intimidation and hate-motivated offences.  Glasgow Reform councillor Audrey Dempsey has admitted to speaking at Saturday’s rally organised by Unite the Clans, an anti-immigration protest group. Other speakers told of their love of being white and claimed white people in the UK were being replaced. Chief Constable Jo Farrell described the violent scenes as ‘disgraceful’ and said Police Scotland would take further action against those who caused disorder.  First Minister John Swinney branded the protest a ‘demonstration of far-Right hatred’, describing the disorder as ‘utterly unacceptable’. The weekend protest was the latest in a series of anti-migrant demonstrations in Glasgow amid heightened tensions.  A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘We have received information which is being assessed.’