AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a memorial to volunteers who fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War was defaced.

The commemorative stone in Duchess Park, Motherwell, was vandalised with graffiti including “Franco” and “vermin” alongside what are thought to be fascist symbols.

The memorial is dedicated to North Lanarkshire volunteers who went to Spain in 1936-39 to fight against General Franco’s fascist rebellion.

North Lanarkshire trade union council chairman Ben Lunn tweeted: “Truly despicable actions. Desecrating a memorial to some of the greatest heroes of our communities is a travesty, we can’t let fascists gain ground or go unopposed.”

MSPs have also condemned the desecration of the memorial.  

Gillian Mackay of the Scottish Greens said: “This graffiti appearing weeks before annual commemorations is particularly callous.

“The right-wing nature of it is concerning. I’ll shortly be in touch with the committee at the park to see what support they need.”

The damage has since been cleaned, with a member of the public — along with his son — volunteering to remove the paint and restore the memorial.