The lawyer representing former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has himself been reported to Police Scotland for alleged "hate speech" in a bizarre consequence of Scotland's controversial hate crime laws.
Glasgow MSP Thomas Kerr, deputy leader of Reform UK Scotland, confirmed he has formally reported prominent human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar over comments made during an anti-racism rally in Glasgow, as per the Daily Mail.
Anwar has acted as spokesman for the disgraced former First Minister following the imprisonment of her estranged husband, convicted fraudster Peter Murrell, who embezzled over $500,000 of SNP funds during his wife's time in office.
Addressing protesters, Anwar claimed that "when politicians like Farage and Thomas Kerr demonise migrants" hatred spreads, accusing the pair of promoting "racist bile" and alleging racists now believe they are legitimate because "Farage gave them a script." He went further still, telling demonstrators: "It is not... legitimate concerns, it's pogroms, it's terrorism."
Kerr argues those remarks crossed the very legal threshold Scotland's Hate Crime and Public Order Act was designed to police. "I have reported Aamer Anwar to Police Scotland," Kerr said in a statement. "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."
In correspondence sent to Police Scotland, Kerr argued Anwar had labelled campaigners concerned about illegal immigration as "terrorists" while portraying Farage as radicalising Scots.
Police Scotland confirmed it has received the complaint and said the information is now being assessed. Anwar accused Reform members of standing alongside individuals involved in disorder during anti-immigration protests in Glasgow last weekend.
The complaint comes just days after violent clashes erupted in Glasgow between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters. Police arrested 15 people over offences including assault, possession of offensive weapons, breach of the peace and alleged hate-related offences.
Sturgeon's government championed Scotland's sweeping hate crime legislation, which has so far seen a chilling effect on free speech. Now, her closest legal ally finds himself facing scrutiny under the same framework after remarks directed at political opponents.
