The leader of Reform UK in Scotland has linked a recent knife attack in Edinburgh to immigration and refused to apologize for his comments, according to sources. He previously said 'we could tell by the photographs' that a surge in immigration had been a factor in the incident, and he refused to row back on these remarks. He also refused to apologise for his comments about the Edinburgh knife attack, stating, 'I don’t apologise for saying that.
I just said it very honestly, very honestly, and then I shut it down. ' However, the specific evidence or court details that revealed immigration was a factor have not been disclosed. In the Edinburgh case, Mustafa Kokoneh, originally from Libya, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with attempted murder and other offenses related to attacks in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh.
Contradicting this, a migrant understood to be from Chad has been charged by police after two people were hospitalised and injured in Edinburgh. Armed police rushed to the scene following reports of a man with a bladed weapon in Edinburgh. The current status or outcome of the charges against Mustafa Kokoneh or the migrant from Chad is unknown.
This is absolutely not racist because we have in Scotland an impeccable track record of immigration, welcoming people from overseas and integrating people into the community.
Reform UK's Scotland leader announced at a press conference that he would be standing in the Inverclyde constituency. Labour accused Reform UK's Scotland leader of using the Edinburgh incident for his own political gain. ' Reform UK's Scotland leader stated that Reform UK is on the side of controlled immigration, not uncontrolled or illegal immigration, saying, 'Reform is absolutely on the side of controlled immigration.
' He elaborated, 'What we don't want is uncontrolled or illegal immigration. If you come here illegally, you should not be here. It's just a fact.
' On specific allegations, Reform UK's Scotland leader said the 'Boris wave' of immigration was low-skilled, and a third are now on benefits. The full context or data behind this claim is unclear. He also alleged that those who come to the UK through illegal migration are receiving a lot of money from the public purse.
Reform is absolutely on the side of controlled immigration. We've always had that, and it's a key part of our economy, part of our society.
In Glasgow, Reform UK's Scotland leader joined a group patrolling Glasgow city centre because a surge of immigration had made the city 'less safe than it used to be'. He said there are 'large groups of foreign men' on the streets of Glasgow late at night, and it was 'perfectly obvious when you walk through' Glasgow city centre that the men were foreign. Organised groups patrol Glasgow streets as a 'street patrol' to assist people in a state of inebriation.
' He commented, 'It’s not for me to judge that – if that’s what they are saying to their community. What do you do, ignore that? ' However, the number of people involved in these street patrols and their official status or authorization have not been specified.
Reform UK's Scotland leader blamed the system, not people, for creating incentives for groups to come to Scotland, saying, 'Blame civic society… those in control of the system,' and 'It’s the system that’s wrong, don’t blame people. ' What specific policies or actions Reform UK proposes to address uncontrolled or illegal immigration in Scotland remains unknown.