EDINBURGH, June 27 (RIA Novosti), Mark Hirst – A call has been made from both sides of the Scottish independence campaign for calm ahead of an historic referendum to be held in September that will decide the country’s future.
Former Labour First Minister of Scotland, Lord Jack McConnell – who is opposed to Scottish independence – told RIA Novosti, “I hope everyone can behave responsibly in the weeks ahead.” McConnell added that more effort was needed to, “stamp out the culture of bullying and intimidation that exists, not just on the Internet but in Scottish public life today.”
His comments came as Police Scotland arrested and detained a 43-year-old man who made alleged online abusive and threatening comments about the current, pro-independence, Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond.
Fears have been growing that an increase in online threatening abuse from both sides may overshadow the independence debate.
A spokesperson for the pro-independence Yes Scotland campaign told RIA Novosti, “We encourage people on both sides of the debate always to express their opinions in a reasonable, respectful and courteous manner and we have issued robust social media guidelines stressing these vital points.
“Abuse, from wherever it comes, is unacceptable,” the Yes Scotland spokesman added.
‘It is the overwhelming verdict of independent observers from around the UK and overseas that the Yes Scotland campaign is civic, inclusive and aspirational,” the Yes Scotland spokesman told RIA Novosti.
It is not the first incident where threats have been made against the Scottish First Minister. In February a 25-year-old man from Glasgow was arrested and charged over threats to assassinate Salmond. Christopher Stevenson’s trial is set to commence in August, just one month before the referendum which will be held on 18 September.
In April a pro-independence, Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament, David Torrance, was assaulted in Fife after getting involved in a discussion about the referendum with a member of the public.
In a statement Police Scotland told RIA Novosti that following the most recent incident, "We can confirm that a 43-year-old man has been arrested and is presently detained in police custody in connection with allegedly posting offensive tweets."
