Police probe kneecap threat to smoke ban MSP

Published on Saturday 9 December 2006 13:02

POLICE are investigating threats made against the MSP who paved the way for Scotland's smoking ban.

Scottish National Party MSP Stewart Maxwell has claimed that anonymous pro-smokers have sent letters to him warning that he will be attacked in Edinburgh.

According to Mr Maxwell, whose Members' Bill four years ago led to the smoking ban, the letters claim that he will "closely monitored" when travelling to Holyrood and that he will have his kneecaps broken by someone living in Edinburgh.

The West of Scotland politician, who lives in Paisley, added that over the past couple of months he had received dozens of threatening letters which police believe have been sent from the same person.

He said: "We've had several letters from the same source and all have been very specific about my movements. They threaten to have someone waiting at the station to break my legs.

"We have to take it seriously. I am not so concerned for myself as I am for my staff, as they are always more exposed than MSPs are."

The threats have been condemned by pro-smoking group Forest, who said they were "unforgivable".

Lothian and Borders police have also confirmed they are investigating the letters.