Fears have been raised of “absolute carnage” at polling stations during the independence referendum in Scotland after the anti-independence campaign complained of a growing atmosphere of intimidation from hardcore nationalists.
Alistair Darling, leader of the ‘Better Together’ campaign is due to hold talks with Scottish police this week, saying he has “increasing concerns about the temperature of the debate”. Police are already said to be planning a massive security operation for referendum day, according to Herald Scotland.
Breitbart London reported on Saturday that Labour MP Jim Murphy has been forced to temporarily suspend a speaking tour of Scotland following increasing threats from nationalists. He described people who had turned up to his events and heckled and threatened him as a “mob” and blamed the official ‘Yes Scotland’ campaign of encouraging them.
“All-comers are welcome, but there’s a difference between a crowd and a mob. The blame for this lies at Yes Scotland’s door. They should stop this mob mentality and they should stop it immediately,” he said, adding that he had been accused of being a “traitor”, “quisling” and even an apologist for paedophilia.
‘No’ campaigners say they are now worried about intimidation at polling stations when rival campaigners gather outside on referendum day. A senior ‘No’ source told Herald Scotland: “We are worried that there is going to be absolute carnage.”
A 55-year-old man was also arrested yesterday and charged with an alleged assault of a woman after an altercation between ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigners in Glasgow. The incident is reported to have involved up to 30 people.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has dismissed Mr Murphy’s criticisms of the ‘Yes’ campaign, however.
“I don’t hold press conferences accusing Mr Murphy or the No Campaign of orchestrating these events because I know that it would be ridiculous to do so,” he said.
“So let me be absolutely clear … If Mr Murphy comes bawling and shouting at a street corner near you any time soon, keep doing your shopping, go on with what you are doing. It’s just like a guy with ‘the End is Nigh’ round his neck; he’ll go away soon.”
The referendum is due to take place on 18th September.