Video: Thatcher death ‘celebrated’ in Glasgow

• Protestors have gathered to ‘celebrate’ the death of Margaret Thatcher

• Glasgow City Council warn people to stay away amid “safety concerns”

The event was organised on Twitter within hours of her death and saw various groups descend on George Square to hold the impromptu “party”.

Members of organisations including the Anti-Bedroom Tax Federation, the Communist Party, the Socialist Party, the

Socialist Workers Party and the International Socialist Group, were joined by the public.

Anti-capitalist campaigners shouted from loudspeakers, “Maggie, Maggie, Maggie” as the crowd replied, “dead, dead, dead”.

Crowds gathered from 5pm, despite a statement from Glasgow City Council discouraging anyone from attending. A

chorus of “so long the witch is dead” erupted as a cork from a champagne bottle was popped.

There were also some who came prepared with cardboard party hats and streamers.

During the “party” a green smoke bomb was held in the air by one member of the crowd and a firework was set off, but the event was peaceful and no arrests were made, according to police.

Angela McCormick, a socialist from Glasgow, said: “I’m here for a generation that didn’t have a future when they left school and didn’t have jobs. I’m here for the members of my family who have been devastated by the economic policies or the economic crimes of Margaret Thatcher in the 80s in Glasgow.”

Comedian Bruce Morton, 53, said: “She was one of the most strident advocates and driving forces behind a rampant capitalism which saw communities broken up, industries torn down, deregulation of this, privatisation of that and as one of the older more patrician Tories said at the time, she sold off the family silver.”