Nicola Sturgeon condemns ‘sickening and disgraceful’ vandals who torched poppy wreaths

Scotland’s First Minister has condemned the vandals who torched wreaths left in tribute to those who fell fighting for their country as ‘sickening and disgraceful’. 

Nicola Sturgeon led tributes at the war memorial in Edinburgh on Remembrance Sunday, with the First Minister among many who laid poppy wreaths at the Stone of Remembrance outside the City Chambers, the first such gathering since all Covid restrictions were lifted.

But less than 24 hours after the Scottish capital fell silent to the sound of the one o’clock gun, many of the poppy wreaths laid in honour of the dead were set on fire and the memorial damaged.

Ms Sturgeon said: ‘Utterly beyond comprehension that someone would vandalise a war memorial on Remembrance Day – sickening and disgraceful.

‘I hope those responsible are identified and brought to justice.’ 

Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘Utterly beyond comprehension that someone would vandalise a war memorial on Remembrance Day – sickening and disgraceful’

Less than 24 hours after the Scottish capital fell silent, many of the poppy wreaths were set on fire and the memorial was damaged

Ms Sturgeon said that she hopes ‘those responsible are identified and brought to justice’

The First Minister was among many who laid wreaths of poppies at the stone of remembrance outside the city chambers, the first such gathering since all Covid restrictions were lifted

And Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge hit out at those behind the vandalism, and blasted it as ‘disgusting and disrespectful’.

‘We remain at a loss for the reasons someone could do something like this which has caused a lot of upset for everyone who respects the memories of all who serve their country,’ he said.

‘Yesterday it was my honour to lay a wreath on behalf of the City of Edinburgh to remember those who served and sacrificed so much.

‘The vandalism discovered this morning, not only to the recently laid wreaths but also Edinburgh’s Stone of Remembrance, is disgusting and disrespectful’.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called at 5.14am to reports of a blaze. The burnt remains have been cleaned up

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge hit out at those behind the vandalism and blasted it as ‘disgusting and disrespectful’

Ahead of the event, Ms Sturgeon said it was important to remember those who made the ‘ultimate sacrifice’ to secure freedom.

She said: ‘I think it is particularly poignant that people are gathering together to remember in large numbers, in a way that hasn’t been possible for the last few years.

‘Remembrance has continued during Covid but, of course, these big-scale events have not been possible.’

As well as Ms Sturgeon and Mr Aldridge, groups from across Edinburgh laid wreaths at the memorial.

Members of the three branches of the Armed Forces marched down the Royal Mile before the short service, led by Rev Calum MacLeod, at the memorial overlooked by St Giles’ Cathedral.

The burnt remains have been cleaned up. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called at 5.14am to reports of the blaze.

A spokesman said: ‘Operations control mobilised one fire appliance to the scene where a fire affecting a number of wreaths had been extinguished prior to arrival.’

The City of Edinburgh Council said the incident had been reported to the police.