Latest news with #DouglasRoss
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Feral seagulls 'close to killing a human' as stark warning issued to tourists
A warning has been issued after a child was left with "blood running down her face" in flurry of horrific attacks from the flying gulls with politicians calling for more to be done Feral seagulls are edging closer to killing a human, it's been claimed. n what is seen as the most alarming warning yet over the terrifying flying threats, a summit to deal with them is set to get off the ground. Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who previously called a debate on the issue at Holyrood, told Parliament humans risk being killed over the "growing problem" of kamikaze-diving seagulls. The politician said: 'The strength of the cross-party support in my debate should be all the SNP government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.' Adding fuel to the flames, Tory Rachael Hamilton claimed "aggressive" seagulls had attacked seven children in just one month in Eyemouth last year. She went on to highlight how one girl had gashes to her scalp and "blood running down her face" after a "divebombing attack," the Daily Star reports. The MP added: 'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour. 'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.' The latest flap over gulls comes after the people of Moray in Scotland were dive-bombed by the birds. In one case, an elderly woman broke her leg during a gull swoop. But other ministers are urging Brits to hug a gull. MSP Jim Fairlie said a summit on tackling the scourge of demented seagulls should not 'demonise' the pests. His fellow Nationalist MSP Christine Grahame added: 'Language such as 'mugging' and 'menace' can be applied to us, or our counterparts, but it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food. 'What we mustn't have is people versus gulls, or gulls versus people.' Highlands and Islands MSP Mr Ross said he has been 'inundated' with reports about the dangers of gulls from constituents. They included a couple in the village of Hopeman who were 'worried about going out of their home' due to the aggressiveness of the birds. Jeff Thornhill, a Moray pensioner, said he and his wife were 'dive-bombed' by gull on Monday morning while they were out for a stroll. Among the other victims of the birds is terrified Caroline Mackay, who has lived in the coastal town of Nairn for almost 50 years. She said: 'I know they are part of living beside the sea, and I accept that, but they are quite a danger.' Lucy Harding from Nairn Business Improvement District said they had received 85 reports of gull attacks in the last year alone.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
‘Lives at risk' due to aggressive seagull population
Scottish ministers are facing calls for a national summit to address the increasingly aggressive seagull population as attacks are recorded across the country. Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and fellow Tory Rachael Hamilton warned that gulls pose a serious health and safety risk, with people's lives now at risk. Critics accused the Scottish Government of inaction and NatureScot's licensing system of being bureaucratic and having a conflict of interest. Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie acknowledged the issue's seriousness but stated he could not intervene in the licensing system due to potential judicial review, attributing the problem to people feeding gulls. NatureScot emphasised its role in balancing public safety with conservation, noting a decrease in lethal control licenses and advocating for long-term co-existence with gulls.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Fears ‘deadly' Scottish seagulls could kill someone after spate of attacks
A nationwide summit to tackle Scotland's increasingly aggressive seagull population must be held before someone is seriously hurt or killed, Scottish Parliament has been warned. Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross called the debate in Holyrood, arguing the threat posed by 'nuisance' gulls has escalated to a 'deadly' level, with people's lives now at risk. Fellow Tory Rachael Hamilton backed the call, demanding immediate action as more Scots report being 'scared, attacked and traumatised' by the birds. She urged ministers to convene a Scotland-wide summit, warning that localised efforts won't be enough to address the growing crisis. While agriculture minister Jim Fairlie has pledged to host a seagull summit in the north of Scotland, Ms Hamilton, who represents the south of the country, insisted the problem spans far beyond one region. 'This isn't just a local issue,' she said. 'It demands a national response.' The Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP highlighted a spate of attacks in Eyemouth, where seven children were targeted by gulls in a single month last year. One girl was left with deep cuts to her head and blood streaming down her face. Describing the birds as more than a nuisance, she warned they now pose a serious health and safety risk. Yet despite mounting public concern, Ms Hamilton said NatureScot's licensing system for managing the birds remains tangled in bureaucracy and is failing to deliver results. She told MSPs the debate was 'important' and criticised the Scottish Government for failing to take meaningful action. 'Absolutely nothing is getting done. I don't believe the Government are listening to us because the issue continues in my constituency in Eyemouth.' Ms Hamilton added: 'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour. 'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.' She said one business owner had described the situation as 'people being scared, attacked and traumatised'. Opening the debate, Mr Ross said people often 'smirk' when hearing that the Scottish Parliament is debating the problems around gulls – but he said it was an 'extremely serious issue'. The Highlands and Islands MSP said constituents have told him they are worried about leaving their homes for fear of being 'divebombed', while others have suffered mental health issues thanks to a lack of sleep caused by noisy gulls. He accused NatureScot of having a conflict of interest as the body responsible for both the licensing to control birds and to conserve them. He said: 'The time has come to break up NatureScot. There is a clear conflict of interest in the fact they are responsible for considering licences to control gulls but are also responsible for protecting bird numbers. 'If the minister cannot see that is a problem, then he is divorced from reality. 'The strength of the cross-party support in my debate today should be all the SNP Government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.' Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said while people often 'chuckle and laugh' about gulls, it was a 'deadly serious' issue. But he told MSPs he could not intervene in the licensing system, warning that doing so could open the government to judicial review. He said the root cause of the problem was people feeding the birds, either directly or via food waste and litter. SNP MSP Christine Grahame cautioned against 'demonising' gulls, describing them as 'clever, adaptable' animals. 'Language such as 'mugging', 'menace' can be applied to us, our fellow counterparts,' she said. 'But it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food.' A spokesperson for NatureScot said: 'We understand gulls can sometimes cause problems in our towns and cities. At the same time, gull populations are facing serious declines.' The body said it must balance health and safety concerns with conservation and had supported individuals, businesses and communities to manage gulls without killing them. As a result, licence applications to destroy nests and eggs and kill chicks fell from 2,633 in 2023 to 1,601 in 2024. 'In the longer term, we will need to find ways to live with gulls and other wildlife,' the spokesperson added.
STV News
a day ago
- Politics
- STV News
Holyrood committee calls for views on care experience legislation
A Holyrood committee has called for views on Scottish Government legislation aimed at providing more support for care-experienced young people. In 2020, the Scottish Government enshrined the findings of an independent review of care in what has since become known as The Promise – pledging to improve lives for those who spent time in care in childhood by 2030. Currently, aftercare – which includes help with education, housing and employment – is only afforded up to the age of 18 for those in care. But as part of fulfilling that pledge, the Government has proposed legislation which would provide such services until the age of 26, as well as lifelong advocacy services. As well as changes to services offered to care-experienced people, the legislation would create a national register of foster carers and put limits on the profits that can be made from the care of children. On Friday, Holyrood's Education, Children and Young People Committee launched a call for views, including those with care experience, on the legislation. 'In 2020, the Independent Care Review set out a series of promises to Scotland's care-experienced children and young people,' said the committee convener, Douglas Ross. 'We have kept a constant eye on progress towards meeting those promises and it is clear, from hearing from care-experienced young people and those supporting them, that there are many challenges still to overcome. 'The committee will look closely at this Bill, listen to the views of everyone affected by it, and assess whether it will bring about the changes needed to ensure that all care-experienced children and young people can enjoy the childhood they deserve. 'If you are care-experienced, or work to support care-experienced children and young people, please share your views on the proposals in this Bill.' The consultation will close on August 15, with the committee due to start evidence sessions when Holyrood returns from recess. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Calls for Scotland-wide seagull summit amid warnings someone could be killed
Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who called a debate on the issue at Holyrood, warned that Scots risk losing their lives over the 'growing problem' of 'nuisance' gulls. Fellow Tory Rachael Hamilton said a nationwide summit must be held to tackle the issue as she warned that Scots are being left 'scared, attacked and traumatised'. Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie had already promised to hold a seagull summit in the north of Scotland but Ms Hamilton, who represents the south of Scotland, said a summit for the whole country is needed. The Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP said 'aggressive' seagulls had attacked seven children in one month last year in Eyemouth, with one girl 'left with gashes to her scalp and blood running down her face'. She called for action on the 'growing nuisance', which she said posed a health and safety risk to residents. Despite rising complaints from locals, though, she said NatureScot's licensing system to control the birds was bureaucratic and failing to solve the issue. 'I think we need a summit,' she said. 'I don't think we just need a summit in Moray, we need a summit across Scotland.' Ms Hamilton said the debate was 'important' as she criticised what she said was a lack of action from the Scottish Government. She told MSPs: 'Absolutely nothing is getting done. I don't believe the Government are listening to us because the issue continues in my constituency in Eyemouth. 'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour. 'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.' She said one business owner had described the situation as 'people being scared, attacked and traumatised'. NatureScot and the SNP have ignored this problem for far too long. I'm bringing forward a debate in Parliament today to demand action to control the menace of gulls in our communities. — Douglas Ross MSP (@Douglas4Moray) June 26, 2025 MSPs debated the issue on Thursday, the last day of Parliament before the summer recess. Opening the debate, Mr Ross said people often 'smirk' when hearing that the Scottish Parliament is debating the problems around gulls – but he said it was an 'extremely serious issue'. The Highlands and Islands MSP said constituents have told him they are worried about leaving their homes for fear of being 'divebombed', while others have suffered mental health issues thanks to a lack of sleep caused by noisy gulls. One resident, he said, is spending £2,000 a year to remove nests from her home. 'People should not have to keep living in fear of being divebombed by these menaces on a daily basis, and are crying out for action,' he said. He accused NatureScot of having a conflict of interest as the body responsible for both the licensing to control birds and to conserve them. He went on: 'The behaviour of the SNP's quango NatureScot confirms they have lost the plot. They have told people to protect themselves with umbrellas and even suggested dogs as a deterrent. 'The time has come to break up NatureScot. There is a clear conflict of interest in the fact they are responsible for considering licences to control gulls but are also responsible for protecting bird numbers. 'If the minister cannot see that is a problem, then he is divorced from reality. 'The strength of the cross-party support in my debate today should be all the SNP Government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.' Jim Fairlie, the minister for agriculture, said while people often 'chuckle and laugh' about the issue of gulls, he warned it was 'deadly serious'. But he told MSPs that he could not intervene on NatureScot to change the licensing system because it would leave the Government open to judicial review. He urged people to stop feeding the birds, which he said was the primary reason for the issue. The birds have been an increasingly common site in urban areas as they leave their natural habitat in search of food. He said: 'We have to work out what it is that is causing the issue in the first place. 'We are feeding them – it is quite simple. We are creating habitat, and we are creating feeding stations which are allowing gulls to inhabit our space, and that is now quite clearly coming into conflict.' He added: 'We have got to try and limit food waste and public littering. We have got to take away these feeding opportunities.' SNP MSP Christine Grahame warned against 'demonising' gulls, which she described as 'clever, adaptable' animals. 'Language such as 'mugging', 'menace' can be applied to us, our fellow counterparts,' she said, 'but it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food. 'Anthropomorphising is tempting but not helpful.' A NatureScot spokesperson said: 'We understand gulls can sometimes cause problems in our towns and cities. 'At the same time, gull populations are facing serious declines. NatureScot has a duty to balance health and safety concerns with gull conservation. 'Over the last five years we have supported many individuals, businesses and communities to better manage gulls without the need to kill the birds or destroy their nests. 'As a result, the number of licence applications to destroy nests and eggs and kill chicks has reduced, from 2,633 in 2023 to 1,601 in 2024.' The spokesperson said in the longer term, Scots will 'need to find ways to live with gulls and other wildlife'. They added: 'We will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that collaborative gull management plans are put in place for future years, with a focus on effective preventative measures, deterrents, changes to behaviour and guidance.'
