Pro-Israel MSP ramps up security ‘after attack on his staff’ at constituency office

An MSP who represents Scotland’s biggest Jewish population has stepped up security after a woman attacked workers at his constituency office.

Jackson Carlaw, who has spoken strongly in favour of Israel’s right to self-defence following last year’s Hamas attacks, said workers were ‘shaken’ after the incident at the office in his Eastwood constituency.

A 44-year-old woman was arrested and charged after the incident, which happened last Tuesday morning (October 1).

The woman, who was described by onlookers as having her face covered, stormed into the shared office building in Thornliebank, Renfrewshire, and headed towards the office of the former Scottish Tory leader.

Staff working for other occupants of the building were attacked and the woman was arrested by police and charged in connection with an assault and breach of the peace.

Scottish Parliament security staff have been working with Police Scotland to carry out a further assessment of security in the building, at Spiersbridge Way.

Mr Carlaw, who is convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Building Bridges With Israel cross-party group, said: ‘There was an attack on my constituency office last week. I wasn’t there but whoever the person was came looking for me, attacked other people in the building, was remanded and then charged in court last Friday.

‘That has just become part of the modern currency of politics with which we all have to deal. It is unsettling and it is a shame because it does get in the way of normal engagement.

‘The person has been released on bail and is unable to approach my office or me.

‘The members of staff – they weren’t my staff, they were staff in the communal building in which my office is housed – were shaken by it. It wasn’t something they expected but they stepped in when something was wrong, which was courageous of them. Your instinct is to intervene and they did but obviously it was a shaking experience for them.’

Mr Carlaw said he understands that the individual was released on bail with the condition that she did not approach him or the office.

He is not aware of the motives for the attack and said he did not want to speculate.

Mr Carlaw, right, at a multi-faith candle light ceremony in Edinburgh which brought together Jewish and Muslim leaders to symbolise their commitment to peace

Mr Carlaw, second from left, at Giffnock and Newton Mearns Synagogue to remember the victims of the October 7 terrorist atrocities

He said: ‘It was very disturbing for all those involved. The parliament security people were notified by Police Scotland immediately after the incident took place and a further assessment of security in the building has taken place, but I don’t want to say anything further than that. It is a shared services building, so I have to be mindful of other building users as well.’

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘A 44-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with an assault and breach of the peace within premises on Spiersbridge Way, Thornliebank on the morning of Tuesday, 1 October, 2024.

‘She was due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 2 October, 2024.

‘A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.’

Mr Carlaw has regularly spoken up against examples of anti-Semitism in Scotland.

Last week, he lodged a Scottish Parliament motion marking the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, which said Israel ‘has a right to self-defence and to protect its people from acts of aggression’.

But his motion also acknowledged that innocent people living in Gaza have endured a period of ‘incredible challenge and immense suffering’ over the past year.

It called for the release of all hostages taken to Gaza by Hamas to be released and demanded an ‘immediate, full and complete ceasefire’.

The Scottish Parliament stepped up security measures for MSPs in the wake of the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess.

Holyrood officials work with Police Scotland to identify any relevant security measures that should be installed at the homes, constituency offices or Edinburgh accommodation of MSPs.

MSPs and their staff are offered ‘lone worker’ safety alarm devices, while they can also opt in to a social media monitoring service which reviews accounts for threats and abuse.

A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: ‘We take the security of members extremely seriously. We are aware of an incident and have provided the necessary support to the Member and his team.’