POLICE are investigating after Scottish Green minister Patrick Harvie was subjected to “homophobic” abuse on the street.
The MSP, who is bisexual, was speaking to broadcast media in Rutherglen on Tuesday as his party unveiled their candidate for the Westminster by-election in the constituency.
While in front of a BBC camera, Harvie was repeatedly called a “deviant” by a passer-by, to which he responded: “You’re a bigot.”
The Greens said on Thursday that they would be reporting the incident to the police.
Officials have now confirmed they are investigating, with a Police Scotland spokesperson saying: “We are aware of alleged homophobic comments being made and enquiries are ongoing.”
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A Scottish Greens spokesperson 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 LGBT+ 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.”
Was interviewing Patrick Harvie at the Scottish Green's Rutherglen and Hamilton West launch this afternoon when we were interrupted by this.
— David Wallace Lockhart (@BBCDavidWL) August 22, 2023
An unpleasant situation handled in a dignified manner by the Scot Green co-leader:https://t.co/KIVVbUqN2m
Speaking to the BBC, Harvie said previously: “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.”
He later tweeted that “hatred against LGBT+ people has been growing”.
“Today it was verbal abuse, while others have suffered physical violence. Those in politics and the media who have manufactured a toxic ‘culture war’ are responsible for the consequences of their actions”, he said.
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