John Swinney to visit Scottish primary hit by 'unprecedented sectarian arson attacks'

FIRST Minister John Swinney has offered to visit a Scottish primary school after it was targeted in an “unprecedented series of sectarian attacks”.

The issue was raised at First Minister’s Questions by Jackson Carlaw, the former Scottish Tory leader and the MSP for Eastwood.

Carlaw told the Holyrood chamber: “I've been appalled in the last few weeks at an unprecedented series of attacks, sectarian attacks targeted on St Joseph's Primary School in Busby in my Eastwood constituency.

“The buildings have been sprayed with offensive, sectarian, discriminatory graffiti. The outdoor play area was set on fire and there was a further arson attack on a children's area just this last weekend.

“The school community have been left stupefied and naturally distressed, but I do want to pay tribute to Police Scotland and East Renfrewshire Council for the decisive way in which they have intervened to seek to make the community feel safe.”

Carlaw pointed to a recent inspection of the Catholic-faith school, which saw it receive a clean sweep of "very good" ratings from inspectors, according to our sister paper The Glasgow Times.

The Tory MSP added: “First Minister, today of all days, when all of us here are reminded that we live, learn, work and play together, will the First Minister join me in offering a show of solidarity to the community in St Joseph's and make clear that here in Scotland, faith will not be used as a force for division, but that together all faiths and those of none must work and come together in order to create the community in which we all want Scotland to live.”

Responding, the SNP leader said: “Not for the first time in my life, I find myself in huge agreement with Mr Carlaw on the comments that he makes.

Former Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw (Image: Newsquest) “I appreciate the way in which he has expressed this point, and I think the contrast of the material that Mr Carlaw has put on the record could not make his point more strongly between the contents of the school – which have been acknowledged by Education Scotland and His Majesty's Inspectorate of Education to be outstanding – from the outside of the school, where the school is targeted with completely and utterly unacceptable behaviour, which never had any place in Scottish society, and it certainly doesn't have any place in Scottish society in 2025.”

Swinney added: “So, I endorse entirely Mr Carlaw's comments, and perhaps maybe the best way through this is for Mr Carlaw and I to visit St Joseph's School, and we could perhaps have a Q&A session and see how we both get on at the school in front of the pupils, but it would be an indication of my warm appreciation of the strength of the school and what it does for the children of that community.”

Previously, Carlaw said on Facebook: “The police have assured me that they are treating this extremely seriously, with increased patrols now in place. They continue to liaise with the school and are committed to tackling the issue.

“I will remain in contact with Police Scotland and East Renfrewshire Council to ensure these concerns are addressed. Anyone with information should report it to the police.”

Chief Inspector Gillian Faulds said: "We are investigating a number of recent incidents concerning damage at school premises in the Busby area.

"I'd like to reassure the public we’re doing everything we can to trace those responsible and have increased patrols as a deterrent and for community reassurance. We are also working closely with our partner agencies to explore all lines of investigation.

"If you have witnessed suspicious activity in the area I would urge you to contact police on 101, attend at your local police station, or call 999 in an emergency. I would encourage anyone with any information to contact 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers."