Swinney vows crackdown after Glasgow flats fire

People who spread asylum seeker misinformation linked to the deliberate torching of a Glasgow tenement will be “pursued”, John Swinney has vowed. The First Minister condemned the blaze as “absolutely deplorable” after a £3m project to turn the empty building into affordable homes was destroyed.

£3m housing project goes up in flames

The Stoneyhurst Street building had stood empty for around 20 years before investment was secured to bring it back into use for people on housing waiting lists. It was engulfed by fire on Sunday, with emergency crews continuing their work into Monday.

Online speculation claimed the building was being prepared to house asylum seekers. The operator, NG Homes, rejected the claim, but Police Scotland confirmed the fire was being treated as “wilful”.

Swinney targets those behind the rumours

Speaking at Holyrood, Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney described the incident as a “disgraceful attack”, blaming months of what he called malicious online lies for inflaming tensions.

Swinney went further, warning that Police Scotland would pursue not only those responsible for starting the fire, but also people who incited the attack and those who celebrated the destruction.

He said spreading misinformation about migrant accommodation had helped fuel racial tension and branded those involved a “disgrace”.

Police hunt for crucial footage

Detective Inspector Neil Martin said nobody was injured but urged witnesses to come forward with information about suspicious activity around the time of the blaze.

Police have also appealed for private CCTV and dashcam footage that could help identify those responsible. The investigation now stretches beyond the fire itself, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the online claims that preceded it.

The destruction has also intensified scrutiny of the consequences of inflammatory misinformation as Scotland confronts severe pressure on housing and public services.

People who spread asylum seeker disinformation which led to fire at flats will be 'pursued' - Swinney