Four arrested and charged over alleged Covid breach at Edinburgh anti-lockdown protest

Four people have been arrested and charged in connection with alleged breaches of coronavirus regulations at an anti-lockdown protest in the Capital.

Arrests were made during a Scotland Against Lockdown demonstration which took place outside the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh at lunchtime on Monday, January 11.

Officers confirmed all those who have been charged are due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court in due course.

One person was charged with police obstruction and two protesters were also given fixed penalty notices for breaching coronavirus regulations.

Anti-lockdown protest took place outside Edinburgh Scottish Parliament building on Monday picture: JPI Media/Lisa Ferguson

The group, which campaigns against mask-wearing, social distancing and lockdown measures, was eventually broken up by Police Scotland.

According to one onlooker, only around a dozen protesters turned up, with police officers far outnumbering them.

Superintendent David Robertson from Edinburgh Police Division said: "The Scottish Government regulations are clear that no marches or parades are allowed due to the restrictions in place.

"Officers were on hand to engage with those who wanted to take part, explain the restrictions and used enforcement as a last resort where it was required."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon condemned the protest as “deeply irresponsible” and said it was “putting people’s lives at risk”.

She said while she was a “passionate believer” in freedom of speech, assembly and the right to protest, “right now coming together in groups is putting people at risk, and frankly it's not an exaggeration to say it's putting people's lives at risk”.

Speaking at her daily Covid briefing on Monday, Ms Sturgeon said the activists were “deeply irresponsible, whoever you are and whatever cause you may be protesting for or against”.

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