Grahame warns caution after Lamont claims possible rise in gypsy camps

Published Date: 22 July 2009

By Mark Entwistle

LOCAL MSP Christine Grahame says comments concerning gypsies made by Holyrood colleague John Lamont may border on being racist.

The South of Scotland nationalist MSP was responding to a statement issued this week by Mr Lamont, the Conservative MSP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire.

Mr Lamont claims to have highlighted a loophole in legislation which he says could see a rise in the number of gypsy sites in the Borders.

He says the Government has indicated that gypsies should be legally entitled to set up campsites anywhere in Scotland – without the fear of police interference – in order that their human rights are not infringed.

And, according to Mr Lamont, such legislation could see a situation whereby rules were vastly different between Scotland and England, leading to gypsy communities crossing the border into Scotland to take advantage of the law.

"Our communities should be afforded the same protection of public health and local amenities as down south. It's disappointing that the Scottish Government doesn't appear to take the same view.

"Different rules between Scotland and the rest of the UK could have a significant effect on border regions such as our own. I wouldn't like to think this is giving a green light to a proliferation of illegal campsites in our communities."

However, Ms Grahame warned Mr Lamont: "I would caution him on his use of language and singling out of the gypsy community as there is a danger his comments could lead to trouble and may border on being racist.

"The Scottish Borders, especially around the Kirk Yetholm area has a long and positive association with the gypsy community going back several hundred years.

"Mr Lamont should reflect on the fact that this issue was discussed at length by the equal opportunities committee at the Scottish Parliament. The committee unanimously backed the proposals now under attack by Mr Lamont."

Told of Ms Grahame's reaction to his comments, Mr Lamont responded: "This is complete nonsense. Why should the rights of gypsies and travellers take precedence over the rights of established communities?"

In a statement to TheSouthern this week, Scottish Borders Council explained it had statutory duties to meet the needs of gypsy travellers and of other members of the public, local businesses and landowners.

"Scottish Borders Council has one formally designated gypsy traveller site in the Borders (at Innerleithen) and is actively considering alternative site options to further meet the needs of gypsy travellers," said a spokesperson.

But according to the Scottish Government, concerns expressed by Mr Lamont appear to be stemming from confusion over the introduction of new temporary stop notices which are designed to allow local authorities to immediately halt unauthorised works, such as building works without planning consent.

A Government spokesman told TheSouthern that such notices cannot be used to evict people from their homes or caravans, and this fact had led to some incorrect coverage in the national press, suggesting that the measures would make it easier for travellers to set up illegal campsites.

"But this is not the case, as local authorities such as Scottish Borders Council still retain the powers they have always had to deal with unauthorised campsites and to move people on from such sites," said the spokesman.

However, Mr Lamont says there will be widespread confusion over what exactly the situation is and told TheSouthern that gypsies/travellers at St Boswells for their annual fair this month had expressed the belief that the new legislation surrounding the new notices would give them increased protection from being moved on.

Mr Lamont added: "These new notices could have knock-on consequences and it would be better to debate this issue further, instead of later having to pick apart an unholy mess of ambiguities.

Upgrade for Gypsy travellers site

BBC News

A site for Gypsies and other travellers visiting Stirling is to be upgraded with security doors and improved CCTV, Stirling Council has said.

About 19 chalets will be upgraded at the site in the western outskirts of the city at Bridgend.

Cladding will also be added to the chalets to improve heat and fuel efficiency.

The work will be done after the council received £93,000 from the Scottish Government.

The site, which also contains a meeting room, can accommodate up to 18 families at any one time.

Councillor Alasdair MacPherson said: "These site improvements will go some way towards improving the health, wellbeing and security of who choose to live in Stirling.

"Gypsy travellers remain marginalised and misunderstood, and prejudice against them is rife.

"As with most racism and bigotry, it can be reflected in official attitudes that continue to this day.

"The government grant will help us to address these issues and improve the services that we provide at Bridgend."

'No legal status' for Scotland's gypsies

UK, 17.3.2008, 11:11, (The Scotsman )

SCOTTISH gypsy travellers are not a separate ethnic group under the Race Relations Act and therefore not entitled to make racial-discrimination claims, a tribunal has ruled. Kenneth MacLennan, of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, had complained of racial discrimination, alleging he was victimised by being dismissed for "taking a stance on behalf of gypsy travellers".

But employment judge Nicol Hosie rejected his complaint. In his written judgment he said: "While there may be a body of opinion that Scottish gypsy travellers should be treated as an ethnic group and should enjoy the protection of the 1976 act, there is no legislation, as yet, which affords them such protection. "Although under the 1976 act, (as amended in 2000) English Romany gypsies and Irish travellers are protected as ethnic groups, Scottish gypsy travellers are not protected in the same way.''

Teenage gypsies take fight against discrimination to Brussels

By Adam Forrest
Children win support from Scots politicians


SCOTTISH GYPSIES, keen to preserve their time-honoured wanderings, remain among the marginalised groups in rural society.

In an era where the "no blacks, no Irish, no dogs" signs of the early 20th century are unthinkable, the travelling community still faces racist abuse and difficulty accessing services.

Now teenage travellers from the Highlands, taunted for "casting spells" and wearing "silly clothes", have taken their fight against discrimination to Brussels.

The group met MEPs in the European parliament to gather support for an awareness-raising campaign they have already taken into schools.

Funded by the Scottish government, their "Who We Are" workshops allow modern gypsy children to explain their way of life and correct misconceptions.

Shantelle Johnstone, 15, travels with her family much of the year, but hopes to complete her Highers in the winter and go to college to become a youth worker.

"In primary school I got bullied a lot," she said. "Being called names wasn't very nice, but they didn't understand. A lot would have come from their parents, who didn't know either.

"They would have thought we were just poor, just scum. But attitudes are changing, people are more aware of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Now it's easier to say, Yes, I'm proud to be what I am'."

Justine Wilson, 17, is also part of a community moving around the Highlands, but hopes to finish her English Standard Grade and eventually become a writer-journalist. She is excited that the campaign, organised by Save the Children, is beginning to help change perceptions.

"I really enjoyed going to Europe and telling our side of the story," she said. "They were eager to listen about how we've been campaigning in schools all over Scotland, giving them an insight into the traveller life.

"We explain to them the similarities and also the differences. They see we listen to the same music, like the same things. We just live a little bit differently, that's all. They realised there was nothing weird or strange about us."

The Brussels meeting was hosted by Fife-basedLabourMEPCatherine Stihler. The young travellers were also able to meet MEP Livia Jaroka, who talked about her own Roma family history and gypsy communities across Europe. The politicians promised to help identify further sources of funding for the continuation of the project.

One of the group, Mark McKenzie, is currently attending Oatridge College in West Lothian to undertake a landscape design and construction course.

The 16-year-old told the Sunday Herald of the abuse his own family have faced. "Occasionally, they would throw rocks," he said. "A group of young boys threw rocks through the window of my uncle's caravan while everyone was sleeping. It's terrible.

"That's the reason why we're doing all this, to help people understand what travellers are really like. Before our workshop, you actually get people writing things about us casting spells and wearing silly clothes. Afterwards they realise we're just the same as other people."

The government estimates there are 2000 gypsies in Scotland, most of whom speak a common language called Cant, in addition to English or Gaelic, and work in agriculture or forestry. Many groups face housing problems since current council site provision does not meet their needs.

Stihler said: "It is vital that we address the discrimination that many of these young people face on a daily basis. Save the Children should be commended for its campaign to make Scots aware that travellers are the same people but with different lives."

Karen Carrick, Save the Children's development officer, said she was proud of the way the young travellers were able to state their case so eloquently to European ministers.

She said: "They demonstrated the excellent work they are doing in schools and other youth settings to try to raise awareness of gypsy travellers among their peers who live in the settled community.

"The trip was a really empowering experience and gave them a real boost."

As a result of the extreme prejudice experienced in the past, many people are afraid to identify themselves as hailing from a travelling community.

Famous gypsies include Charlie Chaplin, RitaHayworth and Bob Hoskins.

It is even claimed former president Bill Clinton is descended from the Faa Blythe Scottish gypsy kings.