From the archive: ‘mistreated’ travellers seek official apology - 10 november, 2010

CALLS for a formal and public apology for the “ill-treatment” of Travellers will be raised with the Scottish Government.

Holyrood’s public petitions committee said it would ask ministers to respond to concerns that the Scottish Gypsy Traveller community has been mistreated and “racially discriminated against” for decades. MSPs said more information was required from petitioner Ken MacLennan to back up the appeal for an apology.

In his submission, Mr Mac-Lennan, from Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, set out examples of mistreatment dating back almost 500 years, including antigypsy laws.

Labour member Bill Butler asked for more supportive evidence and suggested writing to the government asking if it accepted the allegations of historic discrimination.