Year of threats, abuse, arrests – and a government summit

THERE have been a series of flashpoints over the past year that have seen sectarianism at the top of the news and political agenda.

In March, an ill-tempered Celtic-Rangers cup game, with players sent off and touchline and tunnel confrontations, as well as 34 arrests inside the stadium, resulted in a summit organised by First Minister Alex Salmond.

In April, three letter bombs intended for Celtic boss Neil Lennon, his QC Paul McBride and MSP Trish Godman, a Celtic supporter, were intercepted by the Royal Mail.

An investigation ended with a series of raids in Saltcoats and Kilwinning, in Ayrshire, and the arrest of two men under the Explosive Substances Act

During the same month, police carried out dawn raids to crack down on sectarian abuse posted on the internet by Old Firm fans, some of whom conduct vicious online hate campaigns, resulting in a series of arrests.

The tensions led the Scottish Government to bring forward legislation to tackle sectarianism that would see tough new penalties for sectarian hate crimes.