HOUSING associations in Glasgow have had to close offices temporarily amid disorder fuelled by false rumours, a councillor has warned.
There are concerns a Possilpark tenement blaze last Sunday was started deliberately after misinformation was spread that the building owned by housing association NG Homes would house asylum seekers.
Castlemilk has also been the subject of false social media posts claiming a sex offender lived in a property, which led to a crowd gathering outside the home in July.
Speaking at a full council meeting on Thursday, September 10, housing convenor Ruairi Kelly said: “The incidents in Castlemilk earlier this year and more recently in Possilpark show the real harm that can result when misinformation and unfounded rumours are allowed to spread unchecked. In both cases false claims about housing fuelled fear, community tensions and intimidation and in Possilpark may have even contributed to the actions that reduced the supply of much needed homes.
“If the Possilpark fire proves to have been deliberate then those responsible will already have worsened a difficult situation for people and families waiting for permanent homes.”
He added: “I have been in discussion with housing associations across the city about how we collectively respond to these challenges. In some instances the atmosphere created by misinformation and intimidation has been so severe that housing associations have had to take additional security measures and at times temporarily close their offices.”
Councillor Kelly said he is organising a summit with housing associations, Police Scotland and others to figure out what can be done to “counter this misinformation, support communities, protect staff and residents and ensure that legitimate concerns can be discussed without intimidation, threats or disorder”.
The comments were made as he responded to a question from fellow SNP councillor Margaret Morgan asked what is being done to tackle the problems of false information being spread.
Councillor Morgan said: “The convenor will be aware of the disturbing scenes in Castlemilk and other areas of Glasgow earlier this year where online disinformation fuelled vigilante actions and attempts to force people from their homes.
“Can the convenor provide an update on what discussions he has had with housing associations and others to respond to this challenge?”
