Overview
- Susan Smith, a co-director of For Women Scotland, has been told to attend a meeting next week where she must accept a recorded police warning that stays on file for two years or risk criminal charges.
- Video from last month’s Holyrood rally shows counter-protester Tom Harlow using loud music before pushing a rainbow umbrella toward Smith, who briefly grabbed it, after which he complained of harassment and damage.
- Police Scotland previously said the loud music did not meet the threshold for serious public nuisance, and the force now says it is reviewing its response with a final decision on the umbrella complaint still pending.
- Supporters and politicians, including the Free Speech Union and several MSPs, have criticized the police stance and sought explanations from Chief Constable Jo Farrell over how the rally and subsequent complaint were handled.
- Smith is believed likely to reject the warning, which could lead police to report the case to the procurator fiscal for a possible prosecution under procedures outlined by The Times.