Latest news with #SiobhianBrown
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Orange Order chiefs to meet with Scottish Government over air gun attack on marchers in Glasgow
They previously urged the First Minister to take 'decisive action' 'COWARDLY ACT' Orange Order chiefs to meet with Scottish Government over air gun attack on marchers in Glasgow Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OFFICIALS from the Scottish Government are to meet with the Orange Order after an air rifle was fired at participants in a recent march. Thousands marched through Glasgow earlier this month as part of celebrations to commemorate the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Orange Order bosses slammed yobs who fired an air rifle at marchers 3 Thousands of Orange Lodge members marched through the city on July 5 3 The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland asked to meet with the First Minister Credit: PA During the day, four people were struck with "air weapon pellets", according to police, while the march continued along Sauchiehall Street, near Kelvingrove Park, with no serious injuries reported. Speaking to the PA news agency, the First Minister confirmed officials will speak to representatives of the Orange Order on Wednesday, with community safety minister Siobhian Brown due to do the same at a later date. "The Scottish Government is meeting with representatives of the Orange Order today," he said. "Officials will take that forward and in due course, the community safety minister will meet with the Orange Order. "In recent days, members of the Orange Order have been subjected to acts of violence which are deplorable and they are unacceptable to whoever they affect within our society. "These matters are currently being taken forward by Police Scotland." The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland asked to meet with the First Minister about the "cowardly" act which they say "endangered lives". A spokesperson said previously: "The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland expresses deep concern over the alarming incident that occurred, where members of our Institution were targeted and fired upon with an air rifle. "This reckless act has escalated the level of hostility towards the Orange Order, endangering the lives of our members. "The Most Worthy Grand Master urgently requests a meeting with the First Minister of Scotland to address this incident and the escalating tide of anti-Protestant sentiment we face daily. Hundreds step out for women's Orange Walk through Glasgow "We urge the First Minister to take decisive action against these hate crimes, including condemning the attacks on our properties and our members. "The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland stands united with the County Grand Lodge of Glasgow and Police Scotland in ensuring that those responsible for this cowardly act are swiftly brought to justice."
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
ScotGov officials meeting with Orange Order following march violence
Officials from the Scottish Government are to meet with the Orange Order, John Swinney has said, after an air rifle was fired at participants in a recent march. Thousands marched through Glasgow earlier this month as part of celebrations to commemorate the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. During the day, four people were struck with 'air weapon pellets', according to police, while the march continued along Sauchiehall Street, near Kelvingrove Park, with no serious injuries reported. The First Minister confirmed officials will speak to representatives of the Orange Order on Wednesday, with community safety minister Siobhian Brown due to do the same at a later date. READ MORE: Glasgow's biggest Orange Order parade happens this weekend Hundreds march on Glasgow's streets for VE Day Orange Walk 'The Scottish Government is meeting with representatives of the Orange Order today,' he said. 'Officials will take that forward and in due course, the community safety minister will meet with the Orange Order. 'In recent days, members of the Orange Order have been subjected to acts of violence which are deplorable and they are unacceptable to whoever they affect within our society. 'These matters are currently being taken forward by Police Scotland.'
STV News
11-07-2025
- Health
- STV News
Revellers urged to be vigilant for drink spiking over festival season
The Scottish Government has partnered with the NHS to warn Scots to be vigilant of the dangers of drink spiking over the summer period. Victims and community safety minister Siobhian Brown has urged those socialising over the summer and festival period to look out for the signs of spiking, which include memory loss, loss of balance, confusion, paranoia, and hallucinations. Meanwhile, the NHS will log potential victims of spiking who report to A&E. Brown said: 'We are aware of the concern in spiking cases that the link between health professionals and Police Scotland has not always been clear to victims 'We are therefore introducing changes to the NHS system which will allow us to record those who present to A&E as potential victims of spiking. This will provide invaluable data on previous unrecorded incidents and will allow us to better understand the extent to which these lead on to formal police reporting. 'We remain committed to raising awareness of and addressing issues around spiking, and urge everyone to remain vigilant and stay safe as they enjoy the summer and festival period.' It comes as TRNSMT got underway on Friday, with the Edinburgh Fringe kicking off next month. Safer Scotland's tips to keep safe from spiking include: Never leave a drink unattended, whether it is alcoholic or not Never accept a drink from someone unknown Don't drink or taste anyone else's drink Throw a drink away or take it back to the bar if it tastes strange or different Avoid drinking or taking substances which impact safety and wellbeing Always stick together with friends and look out for each other, even when within smaller social gatherings. If leaving a venue early or going home alone make sure friends are aware and there is a plan for getting home safely 'Recognising the signs of spiking is crucial, as the signs can appear rapidly', Dr Julie Ronald, associate medical director at NHS 24 said. 'Common symptoms can include sudden dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness. 'If you suspect you or someone else has been spiked, stay with a trusted friend and seek immediate help. It's important to alert venue staff and seek medical help right away. Call NHS 24 on 111 for advice, but in a life-threatening emergency remember to always call 999.' 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
Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Under-18s could be banned from marrying in Scotland
Under-18s could be banned from tying the knot in Scotland following efforts by an MSP to tackle the 'hidden crime' of child marriage. Siobhian Brown, the community safety minister, confirmed plans to consult on raising the legal age for marriages and civil partnerships from 16 to 18. Ministers will also consult on whether to legislate to extend the forced marriage or forced civil partnership offence, so any conduct with the intention of causing a person under 18 to marry or enter a civil partnership would be a criminal offence. The formal consultation on the new legislation was confirmed in a written answer to Ash Regan, an Alba MSP who is a vocal campaigner for increasing the marriage age. Campaigners such as Barnardo's have long argued that allowing under-18s to tie the knot contributes to sexual violence and domestic abuse. Unicef – the United Nations agency providing humanitarian and development aid to children worldwide – defines any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or other child as 'child marriage'. The UN agency describes marriage before the age of 18 as a 'fundamental violation of human rights'. Ms Regan said: 'Child marriage is a hidden crime, but I am concerned that it is very much a live issue in Scotland and across the UK. 'In Scotland, the legal age is 16 and no parental consent is needed. Campaigners have previously highlighted that this leaves girls vulnerable to grooming and coercion. 'I want to see new safeguards to prevent coerced marriages for under-18s, to protect their childhoods and their life chances.' The move would bring Scotland into line with England and Wales, where the age of consent to marry was raised to 18 in 2023. However, legal experts have previously warned that raising the legal marriage age in Scotland could be more difficult than it was south of the border, as Scots law considers 16- and 17-year-olds to be adults. Data from the National Records of Scotland showed 38 men and 78 women aged 16-19 got married in 2023, compared with 5,156 men and 11,963 women in 1974. 'Marriage by declaration' Scotland and England have had different rules on marriage for centuries. In the 18th century, an English law stopped couples under 21 marrying without their parents' permission. But in Scotland it was permitted for girls from the age of 12, and for boys aged 14 or older. Anyone in Scotland could also marry a couple by 'declaration'. Teenage lovers in England would elope to Scotland and Gretna, two miles over the border, became known as a marriage location. Couples could get married on the spot at Gretna Green in a simple ceremony. In 1940, the institution of 'marriage by declaration' was outlawed in Scotland and, in 1977, English couples were allowed to get married without parental consent at 18. The minimum age for marriage now in England and Wales is 18. Previously, 16- and 17-year-olds were allowed to get married or enter a civil partnership with parental consent, but this was dropped in 2023. Those under 18 in England and Wales can still get married in Scotland but, unlike in the past, the marriage would not be recognised south of the border.
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Legal age you can get married in Scotland could change – here's why
The Government will consider raising limit amid claims by campaigners that freedom to marry at 16 leaves girls vulnerable to grooming and coercion ALTAR-ING LAW Legal age you can get married in Scotland could change – here's why The Scottish government has now confirmed it will consult on raising the age of marriage and civil partnership from 16 to 18 - bringing it in line with England and Wales. Marriage laws in Scotland allow those aged 16-17 to marry without parental consent. 3 The Scottish Government intend to consult on raising the age of marriage and civil partnership from 16 to 18 - bringing it in line with England and Wales. Credit: Getty 3 Current laws north of the border allow those aged 16-17 to marry without parental consent. Credit: Alamy 3 Campaigners say freedom to marry at 16 leaves girls vulnerable to grooming and coercion Credit: Alamy The proposed consideration follows a 2023 law change south of the border, where the UK Conservative government increased the minimum age to 18. Previously 16 and 17-year-olds could marry with parental consent. For centuries, the legal differences between Scotland and England drew couples to Gretna, just a few miles north of the border, to defy their parents and tie the knot. In the 18th century, when English law forbade marriage under 21 without parental permission, Scotland permitted boys of 14 and girls of 12 to wed. The formal consultation on the new legislation was confirmed in a written answer to Ash Regan, an Alba MSP and a vocal campaigner for increasing the marriage age. Ministers will also consider making any attempt to cause a person under 18 to marry a criminal offence. Unicef - the United Nations agency providing humanitarian and development aid to children worldwide - defines child marriage as 'any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child', therefore considers it a violation of human rights. Legal experts note that Scotland is an outlier in the developed world for allowing marriage from 16 without parental consent. Ash Regan said: 'Child marriage is a hidden crime, but I am concerned that it is very much a live issue in Scotland. 'In Scotland, the legal age is 16 and no parental consent is needed. "Campaigners have previously highlighted that this leaves girls vulnerable to grooming and coercion. Devastating floods hit New Mexico as houses swept away in deluge after Texas death toll climbs to 111 with 173 missing "I want to see new safeguards to prevent coerced marriages for under-18s, to protect their childhoods and their life chances.' Data from the National Records of Scotland shows a steep fall in teenage marriages. In 1974, there were 3,780 marriages where at least one partner was 16 or 17. By 2022, that number had dropped to just 18. Siobhian Brown, the Scottish government's community justice minister, said: 'As part of our considerations on the minimum age of marriage and civil partnership, we have engaged with a wide range of organisations and interested individuals in order to gather views and evidence.' The Scottish Conservatives said: 'We would urge SNP ministers to do the same given similar laws are already in place elsewhere in the UK.' Scottish Labour and the Greens have made no comment. Rob Clucas, a family law expert at Edinburgh Napier University, said: 'Forced marriage is a global evil that disproportionately affects young women in different-sex marriages, and it should be eradicated. 'Forced marriages do occur in Scotland, as does early marriage and civil partnership — though these phenomena are not identical, and it is not clear how harmful early marriage or civil partnership is in Scotland, it may sometimes be neutral or beneficial.' He added: 'Research is needed to establish this. If we take our young people's autonomy seriously — and we should, for 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland are not children — we ought to be wary of infringing their rights, even temporarily.' A Scottish government spokesman said: 'While statistics show that marriages involving under-18s are rare in Scotland, as previously announced, we intend to consult on whether the minimum age of marriage and civil partnership should be raised from 16 to 18. 'The consultation, which will be published this autumn, will also consider extending the existing forced marriage offence to criminalise any attempt to cause a person under 18 to enter a marriage or civil partnership, regardless of whether coercion can be proven. 'This responds to a recommendation by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child that Scotland should prohibit marriages involving under-18s to protect young people.' Marriage laws vary across Europe - with countries including Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden not permitting marriage under 18, while others allow for exceptions with parental or public authority consent. In Estonia, the minimum age for marriage is 15.
