'Robust and swift response' planned for any rioting in Scotland

Prosecutors say they have put plans in place for a "robust and swift" response if there is any rioting and public disorder in Scotland.

The announcement follows posts on social media by the far-right leader Tommy Robinson, who said in July that a "pro-UK peaceful protest" would be held in Glasgow this month.

An anti-racism rally is being organised in response.

Scotland's prosecution service is instructing police to remand suspects in custody and cases will be fast-tracked through the courts.

Police Scotland said it had no specific intelligence to suggest any disorder was going to take place.

A letter from the Solicitor General for Scotland, Ruth Charteris, to Audrey Nicoll MSP, the convener of the Scottish Parliament's criminal justice committee, commented on the disorder and riots seen in England and Northern Ireland following the killing of three young girls in Southport.

She said the disorder was "motivated by hate, racism and prejudice" and called for a robust response to ensure that public confidence was maintained and further offending deterred.

She said those arrested should expect to be remanded in custody to appear in court at the earliest opportunity.

They can also expect prosecutors to oppose their release on bail to "ensure that public safety is prioritised".

"To ensure that justice is delivered swiftly, prosecutors will prioritise such cases ahead of existing investigations in order to bring the accused before the court at the earliest opportunity," she said.

"These arrangements will be kept under review for as long as necessary and it is my hope that there continues to be no such offending in Scotland."

She added that Scottish prosecutors were committed to tackling crimes motivated by hatred and prejudice, whether committed on social media or in person, and had a range of tools available to deal with reports of that nature robustly.

"In the event that such offending takes place in Scotland, I will ensure that the committee is updated on the actions taken by prosecutors to deliver swift and robust justice," she said.

First Minister John Swinney told the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday that the disorder seen in England and Northern Ireland should not be classed as protests.

"This was violence and thuggery pure and simple, perpetrated by those with a far-right ideology, by those who had been taken in by that rhetoric, and by criminals," he said.

"Far from having legitimate concerns, those indulging in these mindless acts were doing so from a place of racism, Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment.

"This cannot, and should not, be tolerated anywhere."

He added: "We cannot take the view that we may be immune from related disorder occurring on our own doorstep.

"We must guard against prejudice, discrimination and misinformation that aim to incite hatred and violence.

"Let me be clear to anyone in Scotland considering mimicking the kind of vile behaviour we have witnessed in parts of England and Northern Ireland this summer that their actions will not be tolerated, they will be dealt with robustly and criminal actions online will be taken just as seriously."