Campaigner kicked out for 'utterly shameful' comments about Ruth Davidson's baby

A campaigner was kicked out of a council meeting and police were called following “utterly shameful” comments about Ruth Davidson’s baby.

Peter Gregson, who was addressing the council’s transport and environment committee in response to a proposed cycle route through Roseburn, was escorted out of the City Chambers following the outburst.

Mr Gregson accused the council of “asphyxiating Ruth Davidson’s baby”, Finn, by claiming the authority was not tackling air quality.

The former council employee, who is currently suspended by the Labour party, over what he claims are “bogus anti-Semitism charges”, was interrupted and halted by transport and environment convener, Cllr Lesley Macinnes.

Cllr Macinnes labelled the comments “utterly shameful” and moved to “disassociate the council and everyone else in this room” from his views that she said were “an appalling presentation of your argument”.

Primary school pupils from St John Vianney School, who had spoken passionately about improving air quality in the city, were forced to leave the meeting by a teacher during the incident.

Conservative Cllr Nick Cook called for Mr Gregson to leave the room, leading to Cllr Macinnes suspending the meeting for a private discussion between councillors.

Cllr Macinnes then ejected Mr Gregson, who left the room, stating, “please let baby Finn live” and “watch out for the future, folks”.

Mr Gregson, who was wearing a yellow vest and holding a gas mask, sent out a press release, following his ejection. In it he claims he “pointed out that he was a ratepayer” when security staff tried to remove him, at which point he re-entered the room. He was finally removed from the building by security staff and vice convener of transport and environment, Cllr Karen Doran.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Officers were called to the City Chambers around 11.45am today following a report that a man was refusing to leave, however the situation was resolved prior to our attendance.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: “Quite rightly, Ruth wants to keep her baby as far away from party politics as possible.”

An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to Mr Gregson as an anti-cycling campaigner when, in fact, he supports cycling provision but is opposed to this particular plan.