We must tackle the far-right but also tackle the root causes of poverty

Record View says we cannot pretend that everyone in a crowd of 1,700 is a violent extremist.

What should have been a positive fortnight for Glasgow as the Commonwealth Games returned was marred by the shocking scenes in the city centre on July 25.

An anti-immigration protest quickly descended into disorder as police struggled to contain hundreds of masked hoodlums from causing havoc as families tried to go about their business.

Police have a duty to facilitate peaceful protest – but anyone who saw the behaviour around Glasgow Green that day will tell you it was anything but peaceful.

The Record has revealed how several of those involved have a series of convictions for domestic abuse and thuggery.

Throwing Nazi salutes in public and harassing innocent bystanders because of the colour of their skin should lead to arrests and convictions, every time.

Hiding in a mob with a face covering does not give anyone the right to terrorise people, regardless of political beliefs.

At the same time, we cannot pretend that everyone in a crowd of 1,700 is a violent extremist.

Some of those who attended will have felt they were taking part in a genuine expression of protest – the kind of direct action caused by years of feeling excluded or pushed to the margins.

Employment opportunities for young Scots are becoming harder and harder to come by – particularly for those living in the poorest areas.

Years of grinding austerity, followed by a cost-of-living crisis, have pushed some to extremes.

Housing in Glasgow is also a major problem, with understandable anger at the lack of homes for locals.

We must tackle the far-right but also tackle the root causes of poverty and exclusion that prove fertile breeding grounds for discontent.

Tech no prisoners

AI could be a force for good, leading to a new age of prosperity for humanity.

But there are also plenty of horror stories about how it could enslave us.

That’s why it is vital that the use of this technology is applied carefully, especially when it comes to law enforcement.

Today we tell how a series of AI cameras are appearing at roadsides in Scotland’s main cities, which can look into your car to check that you’re not doing anything illegal.

Some might argue that you’ve got nothing to fear if you’re obeying the law.

But some civil rights groups are raising concerns about the spread of AI into public observation.

It’s a thorny issue – and one that needs a lot more public debate before this kind of technology is rolled out.

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