Officer stabbed in Glasgow hotel attack named

Constable David Whyte has been named as the police officer seriously injured in a stabbing attack at a Glasgow hotel.

The 42-year-old is being treated in hospital and his condition has been described as "critical but stable".

He was one of six people injured in the attack at the hotel, which was housing asylum seekers. The suspect was shot dead by police.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said he offered his "personal support to all those affected" by the incident.

In a statement published on Police Scotland's Twitter account, Mr Livingstone also paid tribute to the officers who dealt with the "terrible incident" that "shocked the whole country".

"Officers have once again run into danger to protect their fellow citizens," he said.

"Their professionalism as police officers was outstanding. I pay tribute to their bravery, selflessness and commitment to protect the public."

With coronavirus lockdown restrictions still in place, he went on to urge people not to gather in crowds in the city this weekend.

"In the context of the current health emergency, and to respect those injured today and the people of Glasgow, I ask everyone to exercise personal responsibility," he said.

His plea was supported by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who earlier said it had been "the toughest of days for Glasgow".

"My thoughts are with everyone involved," she said. "The injury of a police officer, of course, reminds us of the bravery of our police service. They run towards dangers as the rest of us would run away."

BBC Scotland has learned that one of the injured being treated in Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth Hospital is a 17-year-old from Sierra Leone.

The young man is said to have sustained injuries to his foot after a struggle with the attacker. He is said to be fit enough to communicate and is continuing to receive treatment.

The other injured men in hospital are aged 18, 20, 38 and 53.

The Park Inn hotel in West George Street had been used as emergency accommodation for asylum seekers during the coronavirus lockdown.

A police spokesman said the incident was not being treated as terrorism.

A formal investigation has started into the police response to the stabbing attack. The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) will be involved in examining the action of officers.

This is normal procedure for a death involving the police.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said West George Street would remain closed around the hotel as investigations continued.

Scottish Police Federation chairman David Hamilton has spoken of his concerns for the injured officer.

"We are hoping he pulls through from this," he said. "We are making sure we are giving his family the appropriate support."

Mr Hamilton said that officers were met with "a pretty difficult scene" at the Park Inn hotel.

"This will be a closed-down scene for some time yet," he added.

"We will try to get things moving as quickly as possible, but there are a lot of inquiries and investigations to be done."

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