THE National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has said it will “follow up” with Police Scotland after a journalist at The National was threatened with arrest by an officer.
Xander Elliards was covering a major protest which saw clashes between the police and protesters at the Thales site in Govan.
The National’s content editor was standing roughly 100m from the demonstration when he was confronted by an officer who claimed he was being “obstructive to the police”.
During the confrontation recorded by Elliards – which took place in a public street - the officer claimed he didn’t have “free roam to go about protest sites” and suggested he could be arrested under Section 20 of the Police and Fire Reform Act.
At one stage, Elliards (above) was grabbed by the officer who then suggested “let’s get a selfie, big man” before asking him to move around the corner.
NUJ Scotland reacted to a video of the confrontation posted to The National’s Twitter/X account, describing it as “astonishing and shocking.
It added: “Journalists need to be free to go about their work without interference from Police Scotland. We will be following up on this to ask why police officers apparently are unaware of the law.”
Astonishing and shocking confrontation. Journalists need to be free to go about their work without interference from @PoliceScotland. We will be following up on this to ask why police officers apparently are unaware of the law. https://t.co/rUYAqwXPQA
— NUJ Scotland (@NUJScotland) May 16, 2024
Other journalists also expressed their support.
Kieran Andrews, Scottish political editor for The Times, said: “You know who doesn't understand? This officer. Journalists are allowed to report from a public place without intimidation or the threat of arrest from police.”
Scottish political editor for the Mail On Sunday, Georgia Edkins, said: “This must be looked into urgently by @PoliceScotland and proper training carried out. Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of our democracy.”
The Scottish Sun's political reporter Lewis McKenzie said: “Freedom of the press is absolutely vital and police shouldn't be trying to shut down journalists from doing their jobs by covering protests, like in this case. Credit to Xander for handling this with professionalism and respect.”
The National’s editor Laura Webster also spoke out, adding: “Absolutely shocking treatment of our brilliant journalist Xander today from this Police Scotland officer. Our team will certainly not be letting this incident pass us by with no questions asked.”
Regarding Elliards being confronted by the officer, a Police Scotland spokesperson previously said: “During the protest, an officer engaged with a journalist and asked him to move away from an area where officers were taking part in an operational briefing. Officers provided advice and guidance and no further action was taken."
