Muslim fury after racist avoids jail for bomb threat

Published on Friday 7 August 2009 22:05

SCOTLAND'S legal system was accused of applying double standards after a Scottish man who threatened to blow up a mosque was yesterday spared prison.

Neil MacGregor, 36, was sentenced to three years' probation after sending e-mails to police threatening to blow up Glasgow Central Mosque and "execute" a Muslim every day until all the mosques in Scotland were closed.

The Scottish Islamic Foundation (SIF) told The Scotsman that if a Muslim had been prosecuted the outcome would have been very different.

The case caused controversy among Scottish Muslims when it was announced earlier this year that MacGregor would be indicted on a charge of breach of the peace, aggravated by racial hatred, rather than terrorism offences, and tried by a sheriff rather than a high court judge.

SIF has already contrasted the trial with the case of Mohammed Atif Siddique, a student from Alva, Clackmannanshire, who was jailed for eight years for internet-related terrorist crimes.

Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, who represented Siddique during his trial, last night criticised the way prosecutors and police deployed their powers.

He said: "If a member of a far-Right organisation threatens to murder or cause mayhem, then they are dealt under ancient legislation and existing common law powers. If you happen to have a beard and are dark-skinned, then you will be prosecuted under the Terrorism Act.

"There is real anger in the community."

He added that there was a perception of "double standards" in how cases were prosecuted that needed to be addressed.

MacGregor admitted making the threats from a flat in Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, between 30 January and 15 February, 2007.

Sentencing was repeatedly adjourned at Glasgow Sheriff Court as investigations were carried out into the state of his mental health, which emerged as the key factor in his case.

The court earlier heard that an e-mail sent by MacGregor to Strathclyde Police read: "I'm a proud racist and National Front member. We as an organisation have decided to deal with the current threat from Muslims in our own British way, like our proud ancestors.

"Our demands are very small. Close all mosques in Scotland.

"If our demands aren't met by next Friday, we'll kidnap one Muslim and execute him or her on the internet."

MacGregor then followed up the e-mail with a call threatening to blow up Central Mosque. Officers searched the mosque, but did not find anything suspicious. MacGregor was arrested in December last year.

The court was told MacGregor had reacted after being sent an internet clip of a hostage being beheaded. Psychiatric reports concluded that viewing the video had left him traumatised.

Describing MacGregor's behaviour as "shocking and abhorrent", Sheriff Andrew Mackie said his mental problems had influenced sentencing.

"Custody would be unlikely to achieve much in addressing the root of the problem, which is your mental health," he said.

One of the conditions of probation is that MacGregor will undergo psychiatric treatment.

Mr Mackie insisted the sentence was "not to be seen by you or anyone else as an easy option" and that if MacGregor did not show full compliance, he could expect to go to prison.

SIF chairman Asif Ahmed said a Muslim would have been dealt with far more harshly. "We are calling for consistency… the authorities have got to explain the apparent discrepancy."