People must stand united in condemning Edinburgh attacks, says John Swinney

Scotland’s First Minister insisted there is no place for race-based or faith-based violence in the country following suspected anti-Muslim attacks.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney insisted there is no place for race-based or faith-based violence in the country after receiving a police briefing on a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh.

Mr Swinney was updated on the investigation into Friday’s incidents by Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton.

Police Scotland has charged a 36-year-old man in connection with attacks that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred”.

Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate the attacks across the city which left five people injured.

The force said on Saturday a white Scottish man had been arrested.

It said late on Saturday night: “A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of incidents which took place in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June, 2026.

“A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal, and the individual will appear at court in due course.”

Footage posted online showed a bare-chested white man roaming the streets of Edinburgh with a large weapon, while another clip seemed to show a man battering the door of a pizzeria.

Police closed off Leith Walk on Friday evening as the incidents unfolded and another video appeared to show a topless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” as he is held by an officer.

Scottish Justice Secretary Neil Gray and equalities minister Simita Kumar were also briefed on the situation alongside Mr Swinney on Sunday.

They were told about the support being provided to those who were directly impacted by the attacks and what actions are being taken to offer reassurance to members of Scotland’s Muslim community.

Mr Swinney will meet with members of the Muslim community on Monday.

“There is no place for race-based or faith-based violence in Scotland,” said the First Minister.

“My thoughts are with all who have been impacted – the victims but also the communities who are understandably anxious by what happened.”

Mr Swinney said people must “stand united in utter condemnation” of the “heinous” attacks that took place in Edinburgh.

“Anti-Muslim hatred is abhorrent, and we must not allow recent attempts to stoke fear to divide us,” he added.

“Everyone who lives in Scotland – those that were born here and those that have decided to make Scotland their home – epitomise Scotland’s values of hope, tolerance and solidarity.

“These are values that must be cherished, nurtured and protected. We must all come together to ensure that.

“I am grateful to Police Scotland for the continued work they are undertaking to ensure communities feel safe and supported. I want to reassure communities that my government will lead from the front in tackling all forms of violence, division and prejudice.”

On Saturday, the Prime Minister posted on X, linking to an image of a bare-chested man carrying a large weapon, saying: “Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets.

“The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this – he will face the full force of the law.

“My thoughts are with those who are injured and I thank the police and the emergency services for their response.”

Officers were called to a report of an incident in the Sighthill area of the city, where two men were injured, at around 8.50pm on Friday.

Police said they then received reports about incidents around retailers across the west and north of the city.

The force said that during this period three other men were allegedly attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk area.

Police said that five men – two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39 – sustained a range of injuries.

Three needed hospital treatment, although none of the injuries are life-threatening.

A man who was working at the Shell garage on Telford Road said he, a colleague and a customer heard noise outside and stayed inside the shop and locked the doors as the incident unfolded on Friday evening.

Uday Kiran Naga told the Press Association: “We closed the door and I locked the door. It was very, very scary.

“We called the police and I think people outside called the police.

“The police came very quickly, two or three vehicles.”

He said people in the area have been left shocked by the incident, adding: “Customers are coming in saying it’s scary, it’s incredible. Nothing like this has happened before.”

Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) organisation.

It is understood two of the incidents happened near Broomhouse Mosque in the west of Edinburgh.

Owais Ahmed, a member of the management team at the mosque, said: “There is a sense of anxiety and uncertainty in some aspects but people are resilient, and people are looking at it as objectively as they possibly can.”

Police said a 36-year-old man was detained at around 9.30pm on Friday.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “horrified” by the violence, which appeared “to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred”, while Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Ms Paton said it was “shocking” and her thoughts are with those who were injured and most directly affected.

Ms Mahmood said she was “grateful” to the police and emergency services for their “bravery in apprehending the suspect and for their speedy response in attending to the victims”.

She added: “There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims. I know it is not who we are as a country.”

Chris Murray, the Labour MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, said he has been in touch with Ms Mahmood and mosques in the area to ensure they had security in place.

He posted on X: “Everyone in Edinburgh stands with the Muslim community today.”

Assistant Chief Constable Paton said: “I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together.

“Officers responded to multiple reports of a fast-moving sequence of events across Edinburgh before arresting a man and public safety was our priority.

“Extensive work is ongoing to establish all the circumstances.”

The force is working with Counter Terrorism Policing and under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

She added: “I want to thank our officers who responded with bravery and professionalism, and with a focus on protecting the public.

“I’m hugely grateful for the support and assistance of our communities and would appeal for anyone with any information to share it with police.”

A Major Incident Public Portal has been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to officers.

Police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist with inquiries to upload it using an online form.

Justice Secretary Mr Gray said: “These attacks were awful and my thoughts are with those who were injured and affected by them.

“As Police Scotland have said, there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland.

“They have also confirmed that a man has been arrested, there is no threat to the public and their inquiries are ongoing. I encourage anyone with information to contact the police.

“This was clearly a very serious incident and my thanks go to the emergency services for their bravery and skill in bringing the incident under control.”

Rt Rev Gordon Kennedy, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said he was “deeply troubled and appalled by events”.

He said: “We stand in solidarity with our Muslim friends and neighbours at this distressing time.”

The Scottish Association of Mosques said it was “deeply concerned”.

It added: “Scotland’s diverse communities have faced challenges before and will continue to respond with dignity, resilience and unity.”