Swinney looking ‘personally’ at Jewish-Catholic school security

The First Minister has said he is looking at issues around security at a Jewish-Catholic school “personally” after an attack on a Jewish community in Australia.

Two gunmen attacked a Hannukah celebration at the Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 15 people and injuring a further 27.

Australian police say a 54-year-old man and his son, 24, were behind the shooting and they have been named in local media as Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Sajid Akram was killed by police at the scene while his son was taken to hospital.

Naveed Akram is expected to survive his injuries and face charges.

Conservative MSP for Eastwood Jackson Carlaw asked John Swinney to provide assurances to the Jewish community in his constituency who he says now “fear” an attack could “happen here”.

He said: “Australia, Sydney, Wentworth was meant to be safe in the way that Scotland, Glasgow and Eastwood are meant to be safe. But if it can happen there they now fear it will happen here.”

Mr Carlaw said he was approached by parents of children who attend Calderwood Lodge school in Newton Mearns, the first Jewish-Catholic school in the world, with concerns over safety after the attack in Australia.

He said: “Can the First Minister offer an assurance that he will ensure that Police Scotland look not just at places of worship but at this incredible unique school, the only joint Jewish-Catholic campus anywhere in the world, so that Jewish, Muslim and Catholic children who live, work and learn together in that school can continue to do so safely and that their parents can know that they will receive the full support of this parliament and the community here in Scotland to ensure that they can.”

First Minister Mr Swinney responded that the issue of security at the school is something he is “looking at personally”.

He said: “Our schools have got to be safe places in all circumstances and that must apply to Calderwood Lodge school.

“I am aware of some issues about security which I am personally addressing. I want to give Mr Carlaw that assurance that this issue is very much on my desk and I am looking at it personally and I will be taking steps to address these issues.

“I discussed the security of the Jewish community and places of worship and places of education with the chief constable yesterday.”

Independent MSP for Lothian, Jeremy Balfour, also asked if the First Minister would agree that “words do matter” and that those who have influence should be careful what is posted on social media “particularly when it comes to faith communities”.

Mr Swinney responded that he had a “chilling briefing” yesterday with the chief constable on the dangers of online activity.

He said: “I had a briefing yesterday from the chief constable which concentrated significantly on the dangers that individuals in our society are exposed to by online activity and it was a truly chilling briefing of the detail that was shared with me yesterday.

“It can result in changes in behaviours and changes in actions that can have catastrophic implications in our society.”

He continued it was important for “all of us” and to be “vigilant” about material that is posted online.