POLICE are reviewing the actions of protesters at the Perth Tory hustings, the Chief Constable has confirmed.
Action will be taken against anyone found to have broken the law at the event on August 16, said Iain Livingstone, Scotland’s top police officer.
While no arrests were made at the event, the Chief Constable said it was “usual practice” to go back and review the protest to determine whether any laws were broken.
It comes amid a flurry of claims from Conservative politicians they were verbally abused at the event and “spat on” by demonstrators who had gathered to express their anger at the party and the UK Government.
Eggs were thrown during the protest and chants of “Tory scum” were aimed at politicians and lay members of the party as they entered to hear Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss’s leadership pitches.
The BBC’s Scotland editor James Cook was also heckled by protesters who questioned how long he had lived in the country and calling him a “traitor”.
The BBC reports Livingstone said some of the behaviour on display outside the Perth Concert Hall last week was “disgraceful”, echoing comments made by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the incident.
He added: “Any criminality identified will be investigated and appropriate action taken as necessary.
"It is vital that people in Scotland are able to go about their lives, including participating in politics, without intimidation.
"Everyone must exercise personal responsibility when making their voices heard, and I agree with all the political and civic leaders who have underlined that fundamental principle and who have called for robust, but respectful debate."
But Livingstone also said there was a disparity in how different groups felt others should be policed adding that officers were put in an “invidious position by those calling for a certain response from the police service depending on which group is making their voices heard”.
He added: “Whether during sporting celebrations, environmental protests or disruption of immigration operations, our response will continue to be proportionate in accordance with the rule of law and public safety exercised through the professional judgement of experienced operational commanders.
"Policing operations are not and must not be determined by the perceived public popularity of one group or another. Police Scotland will adhere to the rule of law and will act independently."
Police Scotland told the press at the time of the event an “appropriate policing plan was in place to maintain public safety and minimise disruption” and that there had been no reported injuries.
