Capital backs anti-capitalist protests but Tories warn of ‘wrong message’

EDINBURGH city council has been criticised after it pledged its backing to the anti-capitalist movement that has occupied St Andrew Square.

Councillors endorsed the aims of the Occupy Movement, which has set up camp in cities including Glasgow, London and New York. Green, Lib Dem, Labour and SNP councillors agreed a motion, which organisers of the Edinburgh occupation said was the first of its kind in the world.

In a statement, the group said: “Edinburgh city council has set a worldwide precedent by voting in favour of the motion to support the aims and sentiments of Occupy Edinburgh and the Occupy Movement as a whole.

“With this historic decision, Edinburgh City Council is setting an example in local administration, as well as sending a message to the governments in both Holyrood and Westminster”.

But Jeremy Balfour, leader of the Tory group, which did not back the motion, said the move had sent the wrong message to the business community. He said: “Edinburgh relies heavily on banking and financial services and I’m concerned about the message we’re sending by endorsing an illegal demonstration.”

The council motion stated: “[The] council recognises the aims of ‘Occupy’ movements throughout the world and understands that they are an attempt to redirect economic decisions to be more orientated towards the poor and disenfranchised, which is a sentiment [the] council endorses”.