A REFUGEE charity has accused Conservative councillors of distributing a leaflet aiming to “sow fear and create division” after materials targeted asylum seekers in Aberdeenshire.
Two Tory Aberdeenshire councillors, Ron McKail and Craig Miller, put out a leaflet this month about people who have sought asylum in the UK being homed in the Westhill area .
In the publication, the two councillors said there had been “undoubtedly” concerns of a “large number of males” being homed in the area by local residents.
They said “there has been no increase in criminal activity since the asylum seekers first arrived” but then went on to say: “Any and all criminal or anti-social activity should be reported to Police Scotland."
In response to the councillors' claims, the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) said the local community is a testament to how generosity and goodwill can challenge attempts to “sow fear and create division”.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “People have no choice over where they stay while waiting for a decision on their asylum applications, and many live in increasingly overcrowded and concerning conditions. They are not allowed to work to support themselves and most have less than £9 a week to pay for clothes, toiletries, transport and other basic essentials.
“Local people and organisations have shown a great deal of kindness to people seeking safety in Westhill and are committed to welcoming them to the area.
“These efforts, which have included donations of warm clothing and opportunities for people trying to rebuild their lives to socialise and take part in community projects, are a testament to how goodwill and generosity can challenge attempts to sow fear and create division.”
Previously, the Refugee Council warned people not to name the hotels which home asylum seekers due to concerns this could lead to attacks by extremists.
However, the two councillors decided to name the hotel in the literature.
In 2022 the House of Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle (below), urged Conservative MPs against naming hotels which will house people seeking asylum after the charity wrote to him.
The Refugee Council pointed out that it is Home Office practice not to name hotels where migrants are staying, some of which have been targeted by far-right groups in the past.
Previously the Tory MP for the area, Andrew Bowie, said it was inappropriate to send asylum seekers to Westhill in his constituency of West Aberdeenshire.
He said there was a “sincere lack of facilities for the current residents of Westhill, let alone an influx of 173 more”.
However, Local SNP councillor Fatima Joji hit out at Bowie’s comments as she said his language was “inflammatory”.
She said: “I’m really disappointed with Andrew Bowie MPs response to Westhill receiving asylum seekers which in my opinion, exaggerates the impact on our community, contains inaccuracies and makes use of language I consider inflammatory.”
Joji added: “Westhill is a caring community.”
