FAR-RIGHT thugs disrupted a peaceful protest by asylum-seekers in Glasgow against unsafe housing conditions forced on them by a Home Office contractor. 

The demonstration in the city’s George Square, organised by the No Evictions Campaign, sought to shine a light on the horrific conditions facing many refugees who have been removed from their homes and placed in hotels. 

A lack of social distancing, poor-quality food and no drinking water have previously been reported by those staying at the sites across the city.

One asylum-seeker died while in the care of contractor Mears at a city-centre guest house. 

Asylum-seekers are now demanding an improvement in their housing conditions, along with the reinstatement of weekly financial support from the Home Office.

But warnings earlier in the week that far-right groups could attend the protest threatened to distract from its message. 

Far-right group the National Defence League (NDL) had posted on social media asking for members to gather ahead of the asylum-seekers’ demonstration. 

The calls were made on the pretext of defending statues and memorials in George Square, despite the No Evictions organisers making no reference to the targeting of monuments. 

Dozens of loyalist protesters confronted asylum seekers and No Evictions campaigners, with confrontations leading to police intervention throughout the hour-long demonstration.

Organisers said ahead of the protest that they would not be intimidated out of holding the gathering.  

In a statement online, the No Evictions Network wrote: “We condemn attempts by far-right groups to hijack our peaceful protest, which is about the conditions facing people in the asylum system in Glasgow. Our demonstration has nothing to do with the cenotaph.

“We will not be scared off from highlighting the horrific conditions in Glasgow’s asylum accommodation and encourage anyone who supports us to rally for this cause.”

The demonstration came after the wellbeing of asylum-seekers in Glasgow was highlighted at Westminster. 

Glasgow South West MP Chris Stephens led an adjournment debate in the Commons on the services being provided during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The SNP politician said that hotel detention must end immediately and the treatment of asylum-seekers needed to improve.