MORNING Star supporters in Paisley were set on by Orange Order thugs on Saturday.

Communist Dougie Keir and three comrades were selling the paper at their weekly Saturday street stall when the attack took place.

“It was Armed Forces Day and the Orange Order were out in force — about 4,000 of them in the town,” Mr Keir told the Star.

“All morning we were getting comments, but you kind of expect that. But there were two of them that started getting physical, trying to grab our flags, and others piled in — punches were flying and I ended up on the ground.”

The assailants were singing songs about the Irish famine, targeting an Irish member of the group, Mr Keir said — adding that the stall was “completely surrounded” by Orangemen.

Police arrived and escorted them to the station. The two who began the fight were arrested.

Nobody was seriously hurt. “Astonishingly, given the situation, I think they came off worse,” Mr Keir added.

Star editor Ben Chacko saluted the courage of the paper’s Paisley supporters.

“It’s amazing how people up and down the country are willing to give their time to selling and promoting our paper at weekends,” he said.

“It demonstrates the unique relationship our paper has with its readers — who are also its owners. But it takes real guts to set out your pitch on Armed Forces Day in a town flooded with Orangemen.

“Their bravery is inspiring and all of us here would like to thank them for everything they do.”

The Star contacted Police Scotland yesterday but were told nobody was available to comment or confirm the arrests.