FEARS over the arrests of anti-monarchy protesters have been raised by politicians from numerous Scottish parties.
There have been multiple instances in Edinburgh where those voicing anti-royal sentiments have been charged under breach of the peace at events including the proclamation of King Charles III and as the Queen's funeral procession made its way down the Royal Mile.
SNP MPs Joanna Cherry KC and Amy Callaghan spoke out against the arrests, while Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman and Scottish Labour MSP Carol Mochan have pledged to raise the issue in Holyrood when it reconvenes.
Cherry, an advocate and the SNP's former justice and home affairs spokesperson in Westminster, said: "I’m concerned by reports in Scotland & England of seemingly legitimate protesters being arrested. Whilst many might question whether this is an appropriate time for such protests, the right to protest is fundamental to our democracy & should be facilitated."
Callaghan, SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire, said on Monday night: "Republican views are as valid as any other. No one should be arrested for just expressing that."
Chapman, MSP for the north east, said that she would raise the issue with the Justice Department and secretary Keith Brown.
I’m concerned by reports in Scotland & England of seemingly legitimate protestors being arrested. Whilst many might question whether this is an appropriate time for such protests, the right to protest is fundamental to our democracy & should be facilitated.
— Joanna Cherry KC (@joannaccherry) September 13, 2022
She said: "Recent actions by @PoliceScotland arresting those protesting against imperialism & the monarchy are deeply concerning. Free speech underpins any #Democracy. Peaceful protest must be protected.
"I will be taking this up with @ScotGovJustice asap. #Solidarity with those affected."
Mochan, Scottish Labour MSP for South of Scotland, added: "I share the concerns of many regarding reports people have been arrested for expressing their views in support of a republic.
"Everyone has the right to express their opinions peacefully, this sets a dangerous precedent. I will be raising my concerns when Parliament reconvenes."
Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, is the only Tory MSP to have commented on the arrests of protesters.
He said: "I am a strong believer in free speech and the right of peaceful protest, but the notion that anyone helps their cause by shouting abuse at mourners in a funeral procession is absurd."
Meanwhile, former Scottish Tory MSP Adam Tomkins said: "Anyone choosing this moment to protest by placard against the monarchy in crowds of mourners is insensitive to the point of boneheaded crassness.
I wrote to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland yesterday, expressing my concern that an anti-monarchy protester has been charged by police. Since I wrote to him, a second protester has been charged. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/Wwl21pYQxL
— David Davis (@DavidDavisMP) September 13, 2022
"But they should not be arrested for expressing their views unless their words incite violence. Obviously."
David Davis, English Tory MP and former Brexit minister, said that he had written to Police Scotland's chief constable Iain Livingstone over the issue.
He wrote: "It is not for me to interfere in the judicial process. However, with the accession of our new monarch I would hope the police would protect the right to free speech."
David added: "If the individual was simply stating an opinion, I trust you agree that a liberal approach would be desirable."
Naomi McAuliffe, of Amnesty International, said: "It's incredibly important that at all times, even those of national mourning, that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful protest are upheld.
"No one should be arrested for peacefully expressing their opinion. Protest can be annoying, or even upsetting to some, but it is absolutely essential for a rights respecting society."
It comes as a former counter-terror chief criticised the police response to the protests.
Nick Aldworth, the national co-ordinator for UK counter-terrorism policing until 2019, said there was an "inappropriate overprotectiveness" to events surrounding the Queen's death.
He added: “The nature of cops and the military is we all swear an oath of allegiance and I think sometimes we forget that part of allegiance is upholding what the Crown would want.
“I met the Queen on countless occasions across my career and the one thing I’m pretty certain about was that she was an advocate of democracy and she would not want that level of disruption and interference with legitimate protest.”
“They didn’t act appropriately, it’s overzealous.”
On Sunday, two arrests for breach of the peace were made during the proclamation of King Charles III in Edinburgh on the Royal Mile.
I am a strong believer in free speech and the right of peaceful protest, but the notion that anyone helps their cause by shouting abuse at mourners in a funeral procession is absurd.
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) September 13, 2022
One woman, who was later charged, was reportedly standing in silence holding a sign which read "F*** imperialism, abolish the monarchy".
A 74-year-old man was later arrested in the vicinity of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. He was also charged with breach of the peace.
On Monday, a 22-year-old man was arrested, and later charged, after shouting abuse at Prince Andrew while the Queen's funeral cortege made its way along the Royal Mile.
It also emerged that a man in Aberdeen was arrested after he was allegedly seen carrying eggs as the Queen's funeral cortege passed him on Sunday, while it was making its way from Balmoral to Edinburgh.
Elsewhere, a barrister who held a blank piece of paper in London was told that if he had written "not my King" he would have been arrested.
Other protesters criticising the monarch have been arrested in London and Oxford.
Gina Miller, who challenge the UK Government over Brexit in the courts, said of the arrests in England: "Today's overzealous police actions/arrests outside Parliament Square are worrying.
"We live in a country where free speech is cherished and should be protected, even with the new Police and Courts Act. How can a blank sign, for example, be a problem?"
