Thirteen held after forces day protest

Published on Sunday 28 June 2009 21:59

THIRTEEN people are to appear in court today following protests that disrupted an Armed Forces Day parade.

Police confirmed 12 men and one woman aged between 20 and 30 were arrested and charged after trouble broke out at Saturday's event in Glasgow.

Protesters, believed to have been an Irish Republican group, started chanting while a service was taking place in the city's George Square.

Police were then forced to close off nearby George Street at around 12:20pm.

The parade was part of a series of events around the country for people to display their support for the nation's servicemen and women, with the Queen and First Minister Alex Salmond attending events in Edinburgh.

The protests have been condemned by public figures, including Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy and the leader of Glasgow City Council, Steven Purcell.

The event in Glasgow involved a parade in George Square including veterans and serving military personnel.

The day was also marked by British forces in Afghanistan and in Kuwait where troops are completing the process of withdrawal from neighbouring Iraq.