Police Scotland urged to clarify arrests over lawful pro-Palestine slogan

More than a dozen individuals were arrested in Scotland for displaying the phrase “Genocide in Palestine, Time to Take Action,” prompting calls for transparency from Police Scotland. Andrew Thomson, one of the defendants, asked whether the force had been advised that the slogan is lawful, referencing guidance previously issued to English police that affirmed its legality. Police Scotland acknowledged the advice was forwarded to Counter Terrorism Policing Scotland on 28 August 2025 but said it was not distributed across the entire service.

When Thomson sought to see the full guidance, the police provided a heavily redacted version and declined to confirm if the slogan was mentioned, invoking public-interest and national-security exemptions. Maggie Chapman of the Scottish Greens argued the force should simply state its position on the slogan’s legality, noting that English forces follow the CPS advice and questioning the Scottish approach. Police Scotland maintained that its officers receive appropriate guidance in line with Scottish law and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.