Councillors in Edinburgh were not allowed to debate a Green motion at Thursday’s full council meeting due to concerns over the latest UK Government guidance around proscribed organisations.
Instead, Green Councillors withdrew the motion following pressure from other political parties who demanded that there should be no discussion – citing fear of arrest under anti-terror legislation.
The motion, prompted by people undertaking hunger strikes to protest their treatment in prison, stated that the Council “opposes the curtailing of human rights, intimidation, discrimination and victimisation of those currently imprisoned as a result of opposing genocide”, and “expresses concern for the health, wellbeing and human rights of prisoners who have undertaken hunger strikes”.
Due to concerns that being seen to provide moral support for a proscribed organisation – now classed as a terrorist offence – could open the entire Council to a criminal offence charge, the Lord Provost took the unusual step of changing the Council meeting process to remove the opportunity for debate.
However, both the Labour and Conservative groups proposed that the motion should instead be withdrawn, citing fear of risk of arrest from individual councillors.
Cllr Alys Mumford, who was due to move the motion, said: “If we needed any further proof that Labour’s obsession with cracking down on protest has gone too far, it is this.
“We’ve already seen countless protestors criminalised and arrested for peacefully holding pieces of paper, and now elected members of Scotland’s capital city are prevented from even discussing a motion highlighting important issues of human rights.”
Cllr Mumford continued: “Just yesterday we saw pro-Palestinian activists in Bristol being cleared of aggravated burglary, with lawyers instead comparing them to Suffragettes for their actions to protest UK involvement in the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
“This should highlight the ludicrous nature of anti-terror legislation being used in this way by the UK Government. For Councillors to be unable to discuss whether or not we agree with the UK Government is antithetical to everything we are supposed to uphold as a nation of free speech and democracy.”
In withdrawing the motion, co-convener of the Green Group Chas Booth said: ““Lord Provost, thank you, reluctantly our group has made the decision to withdraw the motion at 8.1 on the agenda.
“We understand from advice that the motion is competent as re-drafted and we have been advised the risk of considering the motion is very low. However, we appreciate that there are individual councillors in other parties who are uncomfortable with the situation, and we feel a duty of care towards our colleagues.
“We regret that the council is facing this situation, and we remain concerned about the impact on democracy and freedom of speech message.”
Speaking about the withdrawal, Cllr Mumford said: “This motion was simply meant to be a way to express our support for human rights, and for the ongoing plight of people being mistreated in UK prisons.Instead, it has descended into a surreal conversation about what we can and cannot say within the City Chambers.
“We hope that – despite being unable to say what we want to during the meeting – this situation will serve to highlight the fight of the hunger strikers for humane treatment, and make people think twice about the ramifications of restricting the rights to protest in the UK.”
The Cockburn Association, Edinburgh’s oldest conservation body, yesterday celebrated its 150th anniversary in Edinburgh’s City Chambers.
In celebratory mood, a diverse mix of the charity’s members and supporters from civic society, academia and business gathered to champion its achievements over a long history of campaigning.
Edinburgh could well have been criss-crossed by inner city motorways, had it not been for the efforts of the Cockburn Association, according to the opening address by the The Rt. Honourable Lord Provost, and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Councillor Robert Aldridge.
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, said: “Over the last 15 decades, the Cockburn Association has played an important role in shaping public policy and in protecting and enhancing our ancient built and natural heritage.
“On behalf of the city I would like to congratulate and thank the Cockburn Association for 150 years of achievements, a milestone that stands is testament to the continuing commitment, enthusiasm, and talent of all of those involved at all levels of the organisation. As we celebrate this anniversary, we can also look forward with confidence, knowing the Association will continue its work.”
The Association’s Chair, Dr Lesley Martin, compering the event, revealed how the Association’s namesake, Lord Henry Cockburn, had written a famous – or infamous – letter to the then Lord Provost in 1849.
It expressed concern about the planned “monstrosities” that would irreparably damage the city’s “beauty and amenity”. Dr Martin went on to emphasise that the role of the modern Association was to fulfil the charity’s civic function, bringing together diverse interests in productive conversations.
Chair, Lesley Martin, elected in May this year said: “In fulfilling our role as Edinburgh’s civic trust, the Cockburn Association must aim to include as wide a range of voices as possible and to try to ensure that the quieter, less powerful voices are heard, and listened to”.
The Association’s long history has seen successive waves of modernisation, most recently its wooing of younger trustees and volunteers and the appointment of the current all-female leadership team for the first time in its history.
The Association’s Director Rowan Brown, lauded the role of volunteers and their role in the Association’s success. She said: “Edinburgh has been shaped by ordinary citizens willing to stand up for its built and natural heritage, access to green spaces, dramatic beauty and unique identity.
“As we celebrate our 150th year, our book Campaigning for Edinburgh honours that legacy, illustrates the Edinburgh that might have been and challenges us to think boldly about the city we want to create for future generations.”
“The Cockburn has been built on civic action for civic good, and there are few better examples than the monumental collective seventy year contribution of the Association’s Archival Volunteer Team – Ann Stark, Ruby Dickson, Alan, Margaret Jessop, Lexi Christian and Doreen Parker – who have protected, catalogued, researched and shared the contents of the Cockburn Association’s vast archive.”
Dr Martin ended by putting the charity’s success down to its unique breadth of interests, its focus on “pragmatic solutions” its people, and its streadfast devotion to campaigning for a better future for Edinburgh.
Last weekend, Edinburgh welcomed delegates from across the globe for the 18th International Fair Trade Towns Conference, a three-day event dedicated to strengthening the international movement for fair and sustainable trade.
The event opened on Friday 30 August with a reception at the City Chambers, chaired by Rachel Farey of the Edinburgh City Fair Trade Group. Among the speakers were Foysol Choudhury MSP, Labour’s spokesperson for Culture, Europe and International Development; Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron; Thembisile Mnisi from Drakenstein Municipality in South Africa; and Louise Davies from the Scottish Fair Trade Forum.
Delegates also visited the Scottish Parliament, where they joined a Q&A session with Foysol Choudhury MSP and Sarah Boyack MSP.
The visit set the tone for the week, with Mr Choudhury opening the programme by reflecting on Scotland’s achievements: “In 2023, Scotland marked 10 years as a Fair Trade Nation, a milestone reflecting the dedication of communities, campaigners, and businesses working to make trade fair, just, and sustainable.
“Today, we continue to champion Fair Trade with pride, and I am delighted that Edinburgh is at the heart of that journey.”
This year’s conference theme, “Your Town, Our World: Fair Trade Communities & Local Action to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”, framed discussions on how local initiatives can contribute to global system change. Delegates took part in interactive workshops on climate action, wellbeing economies, youth engagement, digitalisation and the power of storytelling in driving social change.
Closing the weekend, Mr Choudhury added: “Fair Trade has always shown us that local action can drive global change, and the stories we are hearing here in Edinburgh prove just that.
“I am proud that Scotland is hosting this conversation, and I look forward to seeing the collaborations and commitments that emerge from this weekend.”
Extension supports UK’s objective of supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russian attack, while developing its Armed Forces to deter Putin in future
UK MARKS UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Ukrainian soldiers will receive a further boost from the British military’s expert training, as the Government announces the extension of the UK’s world-leading training programme on Ukrainian Independence Day.
The UK is stepping up and evolving its training support to ensure Ukraine’s Armed Forces are in the strongest possible position as they resist ongoing Russian attacks, and to deter any further Russian aggression under a future peace deal by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces. Supporting Ukraine’s defence supports the UK’s own national security and helps counter the economic disruption caused by Putin’s illegal invasion.
Training support and military equipment from the UK has helped give Ukraine a crucial boost on the frontline, with Russia continuing to lose far more vehicles and equipment to damage or destruction than Ukraine.
The extension of Operation INTERFLEX to at least the end of 2026 was announced by the Defence Secretary amid Ukrainian celebrations today, marking 34 years since declaring independence from the Soviet Union.
More than 50,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained on British soil so far, with the UK leading 13 other nations providing support to the INTERFLEX programme as one of the biggest schemes of its kind in the world.
The UK is also adapting INTERFLEX training to best suit Ukraine’s evolving military requirements, with a gradual shift from prioritising shorter courses centred on basic combat skills training, to a greater focus on leadership and instructor training.
Two additional courses are now being delivered alongside the basic infantry course. One teaches soldiers how to be in command at a platoon and section leader level and the other is an instructor training course.
Working closely with Ukraine means the UK Armed Forces can learn valuable insights and techniques from the battlefield, helping to improve skills and tactics. Support for Ukraine has also seen closer industrial collaboration, benefiting British businesses and supporting the government’s Plan for Change.
The news comes as events take place across the UK today to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day and highlight the historic relationship that Britain and Ukraine have built. Nearly 2,000 Ukrainian recruits, British military personnel, and other attendees are set to celebrate at one of the INTERFLEX training sites in England.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “The UK is united for Ukraine. We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow.
“In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraine’s Armed Forces in the strongest possible position. And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace.
“On this special day for the freedom and democracy of the Ukrainian people, we are ramping up and evolving our world-leading training support that has given more than 50,000 Ukrainians vital combat skills.
“This matters to Ukraine and it matters to Britain. A secure Ukraine is a secure Europe. From learning lessons from the battlefield to strengthen our own Armed Forces, to deepening our military industrial collaboration supporting jobs across the nation, Britain and Ukraine are growing closer than ever before.”
INTERFLEX training began as a 5-week course to provide basic combat training to recruits, but following continued feedback and dialogue with Ukraine’s Armed Forces, has since become a 7-week course and offers alternative courses specifically designed to boost leadership and command skills for personnel, with new courses introduced, tailored according to seniority of trainees.
Training a new generation of Ukrainian instructors is one of the most effective methods to strengthen Ukraine’s security both now and in the long-term, increasing skills and capacity to expand its own training programmes. It will help Ukraine continue to regenerate its military capabilities, which would act as the strongest deterrent against further attacks from Putin under any peace deal.
New survey results of Ukrainian recruits who have completed training under Operation INTERFLEX from January to August 2025 revealed that 83% of those on leadership courses said they felt more able to make their troops under their command survivable at the end of their leadership training. The data also revealed that 93% of leadership trainees felt more confident they can make troops under their command more lethal at the end of their training.
Recent open-source reporting indicates that support from the UK and other nations has helped Ukraine achieve remarkable results on the battlefield, with more than 4,000 Russian battle tanks having been reported destroyed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, compared with around 1,250 in Ukraine’s case. Reporting suggests that Russia has lost more than double the number of armoured vehicles compared to Ukraine.
Artem, a Ukrainian soldier currently training on Operation INTERFLEX’s Platoon and Company Sergeants Course said: “I am very grateful to the UK for supporting the people of Ukraine in their struggle for independence and identity as a nation.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to take such courses, for the high level of professionalism of the instructors, their dedication to their work, and for their ability to organise both group training and find an individual approach for each of us.
“Instructors ensure that classes are conducted in conditions as close to real-life as possible, whether it be in trenches, in a forested area, or in an urban area.
I learned how important it is to be prepared for coordinated actions in conditions of increased danger, how to properly coordinate personnel during defence, and planning offensive actions. I learnt how to survive in conditions of minimal support and improve first aid skills.”
Work on a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia has deepened in recent weeks under US leadership, with the Prime Minister flying out to Washington last week to meet with President Trump and President Zelenskyy alongside other European leaders. The Chief of the Defence Staff also held meetings on the Coalition of the Willing with other NATO chiefs.
The Coalition of the Willing – led by the UK and France – has developed plans for a multinational military force that could be deployed to Ukraine to provide support in the event of a peace deal. Several planning meetings in recent months have involved more than 200 military planners and input from around 30 countries.
The UK remains fully committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and are engaging with key allies in support of this effort, which is why £4.5bn is being spent on military support to Ukraine this year, the largest amount provided to date.
In March, the Prime Minister announced a historic £1.6 billion deal to provide more than five thousand air defence missiles for Ukraine – creating 200 new jobs and supporting a further 700.
The UK will also invest a record £350m this year to increase the supply of drones to Ukraine from a target of 10,000 in 2024 to 100,000 in 2025.
@ScotGovFM First Minister @JohnSwinney and Social Justice Secretary @S_A_Somerville attended a ceremony at Edinburgh’s City Chambers to mark Ukrainian Independence Day.
@ScotGov will continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while assisting Ukrainian communities in Scotland.
First Minister supports Scotland’s diverse communities
First Minister John Swinney joined faith and belief leaders at the Candle for Peace ceremony to encourage dialogue, reflection and remembrance among Scotland’s diverse communities.
At the annual ceremony, he was invited to light a candle with the Chief Imam from the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, Dr Sayed Razawi, and the Welfare Convenor of the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, Edward Green.
It was the first time senior Muslim and Jewish leaders have come together in this way at the ceremony, a gesture reflecting their shared commitment to peaceful coexistence and community cohesion.
Representatives of NHS Scotland and Police Scotland also took part to honour sacrifices made by health workers and police officers.
The First Minister said: “Strengthening the connections between our diverse communities is so important, especially at a time when we see so much conflict across the world.
“I was honoured to attend this profound and symbolic peace ceremony alongside so many of Scotland’s faith leaders. We are united in our shared commitment to eliminating barriers and increasing understanding.
“Scotland is a diverse, multi-cultural society and this diversity strengthens us as a nation. We continue to work cooperatively with partners to tackle all forms of hatred and prejudice, so people of all faiths, and none, can be supported to follow their way of life without fear of discrimination.”
The Candle for Peace ceremony took place at Edinburgh City Chambers. The annual event is organised by the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, which represents Shia Muslims.
EDINBURGH is highlighting the importance of Organ and Tissue Donation Week 2024 which runs from September 23-29 September.
This year the NHS Organ Donor Register celebrates its 30th birthday. To raise awareness of the incredible gift of organ and tissue donation, the City Chambers is turning pink.
The annual campaign raises awareness for the ongoing need for organ donation, whilst also encouraging people to make a decision about whether they wish to opt in or out of donation and making sure these wishes are discussed with family members.
Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), another landmark building on the city skyline, is also lighting up pink in support of the campaign.
Depute Lord Provost, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron said: “Almost 60,000 lives have been saved since the NHS Organ Donor Register was created in 1994. Organ and Tissue Donation Week is the perfect opportunity to highlight this incredible fact.
“As we mark the 30th anniversary of the NHS Organ Donor Register, we must also be mindful of the fact that more than 7,600 people in the UK are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant. There are thousands of people who could be given a new lease of life by a donor. To help as many people as possible we all need to play our part by considering and registering our decisions to be, or not to be, a donor.
“These are conversations that need to be had amongst families, friends, colleagues, and communities as we go forward. Families are more likely to support donation when they are already aware of their loved one’s wish to be an organ donor.
“Whilst it’s heartening that over half of people in Scotland have now registered their organ and tissue donation decision, a great many people still haven’t done so. Whatever your choice may be, the important thing is to make it, discuss it with loved ones, and record it.
“I hope the aim of this week’s campaign of raising awareness of the lifesaving opportunities of organ donation encourages anyone who is 16 years old or over who have yet to record their decision to do so by visiting the official website today.”
Join Edinburgh’s Street Musicians And Make Yourself Heard!
European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) is asking members of the public to add their voice to the call for action at our Busk against Brexit event tomorrow – Tuesday 16th April.
We have a host of musicians lined up to entertain crowds on the Royal Mile, and outside Edinburgh City Chambers and the Scottish Parliament, on the 16th of April between 1pm and 4pm.
EMiS volunteers will be on hand to promote the ‘Face the Music’ campaign, which has already been supported by the iconic Proclaimers.
Later in the evening, Michelle Thomson MSP, in her capacity as the Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Music, will chair a roundtable event that brings politicians and music industry professionals together, to discuss the challenges facing the sector because of Brexit.
Ms Thompson said: “There can be no denying the impact Brexit has had on our cultural sector, and in particular on our world-class musicians.
“Any musical group who wishes to perform in Europe are now subjected to greatly increased cost and bureaucracy – some can absorb this additional red tape but most cannot and have stopped touring in the way they did previously.”
We are delighted to confirm our panel for the day:
The Scottish Government urged the UK Government soon after leaving the EU to negotiate visa-free access to the EU market for touring artists.
For example, the then Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop wrote to the UK Culture secretary asking the UK Government to work with the EU to explore where easements are possible. Nothing has changed. Touring artists are suffering because of new barriers since Brexit.
In urging the public to come along, enjoy the music and make themselves heard EMiS Chairperson David Clark said: “Music is a universal language that transcends borders, connecting people across Europe and beyond.
“The campaign is crucial as musicians now face too many barriers due to Brexit, threatening the exchange of artistic expression that defines our shared European identity.”
The Real Mary King’s Close invests £200,000 in listed Burgh Courtroom following over a quarter of a million visitors in 2023
The Real Mary King’s Close has completed an exciting renovation project, costing £200,000, to transform its listed Burgh Courtroom, located in Edinburgh’s City Chambers, into an impressive new retail experience on the Royal Mile, further improving the visitor journey at the top Edinburgh tourist attraction.
Following a complete redesign, the new design allows the original assets of the courtroom to stand out thanks to celebrated interior specialists, Lumsden Design. Working with the symmetry of the room to accentuate details, the layout of the newly curated gift shop takes inspiration from Edinburgh’s 17th century market stalls, the Luckenbooths.
The Luckenbooths were the city’s first permanent shops. Situated on the Royal Mile across from St Giles Cathedral, they could be found just a stone’s throw away from Mary King’s Close before the street was hidden beneath the City Chambers in 1753.
Excitingly, the new space also aims to improve the visitor experience. By connecting the guest journey from Mary King’s Close to the gift shop more seamlessly, the Burgh Courtroom now provides an interesting new extension of the tour itself, with the history of the room being revealed to guests on tour for the very first time.
The popular attraction views the renovation work as an investment following its hugely successful year, with over a quarter of a million people visiting in 2023. Much of The Real Mary King’s Close’s highest footfall came during the annual Fringe festival and the school holidays.
July saw a record-breaking number of visitors journey underground, with The Met Office reporting that it was the UK’s wettest July since 2009, and the sixth wettest July on record.
With the addition of exclusive monthly special tours in 2023, including a Herstory Tour for Women’s History Month in March and the Pride History Tour in June, visitors were able to learn from a wealth of fascinating social history experiences, providing a deeper insight into Edinburgh’s dark and fascinating past.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: ‘Reflecting on knock-on effect of the pandemic on the tourism industry overall in recent years, we are delighted to see a consistent increase in our footfall.
“We want to invest in our fantastic Burgh Courtroom to ensure our guests are getting the highest quality visitor experience as possible. We’re really looking forward to seeing the gift shop transform to a space that is reminiscent of the time and feeds into the social history of Mary King’s Close itself.”
For more information about The Real Mary King’s Close, visit :
Nicola Benedetti CBE, was officially presented with the coveted Edinburgh Award by the Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge yesterday evening (December 5) at a civic reception at the City Chambers.
Since 2007, the Edinburgh Award has celebrated individuals who have made a truly unique contribution to the city and brought the Capital to national and international attention.
Alongside family, friends and invited guests, Benedetti received an engraved Loving Cup from the Lord Provost, an official award certificate, and a set of her handprints preserved in stone in the City Chambers quadrangle was unveiled. As part of the ceremony, a specially commissioned poem by Hannah Lavery, the Edinburgh Makar, was recited in Benedetti’s honour.
This year marked Benedetti’s first edition of the International Festival as Festival Director, which was a resounding success. Over 24 packed days, the Edinburgh International Festival saw performances from 2,500 remarkable and diverse artists representing 50 nations.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, and Chair of the Edinburgh Award Panel, Robert Aldridge said: “I was delighted to present Nicola Benedetti with the Edinburgh Award yesterday evening.
“Nicola’s handprints are now immortalised in stone at the City Chambers quadrangle, and she deservedly follows in the footsteps of some of the finest individuals associated with our great city.
“From heading up one of the world’s most important cultural celebrations in the Edinburgh International Festival, to being a globally renowned musician in her own right, she has represented the Capital with pride, dedication, and skill. Nicola is also one of the youngest ever recipients of the Edinburgh Award which shows the measure and scale of her talent and achievements.
“I’d also highlight the fantastic work of the Benedetti Foundation, based in the city, which focusses on musical education, participation, and experiences. Since its establishment in 2019 it has reached over 50,000 participants of all ages from 103 countries,
“I’d like to congratulate Nicola on behalf of the city, and I’m sure she will continue to do great things in the future, both here in Edinburgh and beyond.”
Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, and Recipient of the Edinburgh Award 2023, Nicola Benedetti CBE said: “Each gift in our life, such as the role of Festival Director or a recognition such as this award, serves as a propellor – and an opportunity for choice.
“Each gift holds the potential for responsibility to others, that you choose to serve and grasp, or not. Each gift is a reminder of our place in a lineage of contributors to bettering life for ourselves and for others; a reminder of the collective potential we have when we all consider – in our own unique way – our civic and moral duty.”
