Man charged after verbally abusing Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie at by-election launch

Rachel Amery
By Rachel Amery
Published 30th Aug 2023, 15:01 BST
Updated 30th Aug 2023, 20:22 BST
The Glasgow MSP was being interviewed live on TV at the time

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with allegedly making homophobic comments to the Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie.

Mr Harvie was launching his party’s candidate for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election when the incident occurred.

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The Glasgow MSP was being interviewed live on TV at the time.

Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens. Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens. Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.
Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens. Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Following a report of homophobic comments, a 59-year-old man has been arrested and charged.

“A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”

The party is standing Cameron Eadie, a 20-year-old student, in the by-election, which is taking place after voters backed a recall petition against former MP Margaret Ferrier.

The former SNP MP is being ousted from the House of Commons after breaching Covid rules.