RACIST riots and counter demonstrations in Glasgow have “threatened the safety” of people in the city, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said yesterday.

Some 1,700 people took part in anti-migrant protests in July and August, which saw demonstrators in the Priesthill area throw bricks and eggs at police, leaving three officers injured.

The First Minister said “issues of community cohesion are issues that cause me deep concern” and that he was “always concerned to ensure the public are safe.”

Stressing that people should be able to express their views in protest, Mr Swinney warned they must do so “in a manner that doesn’t threaten the safety of anybody else.

“I am afraid we have seen some examples of behaviour that have threatened the safety of other people.”

He added that Glasgow had also “made its feelings known about the importance the city as a whole attaches to be a welcoming city and being an inclusive city.”