Man targets Holyrood in fireball bid

The Turkish man had to be bundled to the ground by two police officers guarding the front entrance to the building.

He poured two bottles of liquid lamp oil over his clothes as he stood on the concourse, shouting that he wanted to speak to an MSP.

One officer threw himself on top of the suspect as he scrambled in his pockets for his cigarette lighter, while a colleague rushed over with a fire extinguisher.

The man, who is believed to suffer from psychiatric problems, ran up to the parliament just before 2pm on Monday.

Police believe he was trying to make some kind of protest against the Scottish higher education system.

After pouring the liquid over himself, he shouted that he was going to burn himself alive.

Today, politicians praised the bravery of the "hero" officers who quickly reacted to the threat.

A police source said: "The man was running up to the parliament, demanding to see an MSP and threatening to commit suicide. The officers spotted the bottles of fuel, which the man started pouring on to himself, and they moved straight away.

"It was fairly dramatic and you've got to take your hats off to the officers who immediately realised there was a danger. They jumped on him to stop him in his tracks. If they hadn't reacted so quickly this man might have hurt himself or others. They deserve an award."

Edinburgh South MSP Mike Pringle, who was in the parliament building at the time of the incident, also praised the actions of the two Lothian and Borders' officers.

He said: "I was told this guy was pouring a couple of bottles of liquid over himself then searching through his pockets.

"A senior officer inside the entrance spotted him and rushed outside with a fire extinguisher. When he got out the other officer had tackled the guy to the ground. The police acted very quickly and bravely. I know they are extremely vigilant and this incident showed that they are really on the ball.

"It makes us feel safe because obviously if you are going to draw up a list of potential terrorist targets in Scotland, the parliament is going to be on it.

"I think the security at the parliament is very good and very tight. If I come to work in my car and don't have my pass I'm in serious trouble.

"The security guards know me but I still need my pass to get in."

• A 24-year-old man appeared from custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, charged with breach of the peace by pouring liquid lamp oil over his body, being in possession of cigarette lighters and threatening to kill himself.

The man pleaded not guilty and was released on bail under the special conditions that he should not get within 500 metres of the parliament and that he undergo a psychiatric assessment.

He is due to appear for trial on December 19.