Arrests after Keir Starmer confronted by pro-Palestine activists in Glasgow

Two people have been arrested after Sir Keir Starmer was confronted by pro-Palestine activists in Glasgow.

The Labour leader was met by activists holding Palestinian flags as he arrived at Glasgow Central Station on Thursday evening.

Sir Keir has faced criticism over his stance on the Israel-Hamas war since voting against a ceasefire in Gaza and claiming “Israel has the right” to withhold power and water from Palestinian civilians.

A wave of Labour frontbenchers, including senior MP Jess Phillips, resigned last month in order to back an SNP motion calling for a ceasefire – while some Labour councillors have quit the party over Sir Keir’s position on the war.

As he arrived in Glasgow, one protester shouted: “Keir Starmer you are facilitating Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Stop the massacre of over 7,000 babies.

“Freedom for Palestine, stop the genocide. You’re responsible for killing babies in Gaza.”

Another activist shouted: “Starmer, why did you vote for continued genocide?”

Others called him a “war criminal” and said “you should be in prison”.

The protest continued outside the Crowne Plaza hotel, where activists accused Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar of “supporting genocide”.

Sir Keir was in Glasgow to speak at a Scottish Labour winter gala fundraising event.

He was also confronted during his train journey to Scotland, with a passenger asking him: “Keir, how many more children in Palestine have to die before you call for a ceasefire?

“Over 7,000 children have died. Over 7,000 children have been slaughtered by Israel. This is unacceptable.

“What happened to human rights? What happened to democracy?”

Read more:
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Responding to the footage, Ellie Reeves, Labour’s deputy national campaign co-ordinator, said: “I’m sorry to see those scenes, we have set out what we think is the right thing.

“We welcomed and called for the cessation in hostilities that we saw last week.

“I’m sorry that that hasn’t held and there’s now been further violence.

“We’re facing a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and everything needs to be done to avoid that.

“I want to see a further cessation of hostilities, the rest of the hostages released, but also aid going into Gaza.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said the force was “aware” of the protests, adding: “Two people have been arrested in connection with assaulting police officers at Congress Road and inquiries are ongoing.

“There have been no reports of any injuries at either protest.”