Nigel Farage branded the alleged assault on a veteran selling poppies at a station during a pro-Palestinian rally as an “absolute disgrace”.<\/p>\n
The former Ukip and Brexit Party leader said the UK has “allowed people into our country that despise everything we stand for”.<\/p>\n
Mr Farage’s comments come after Jim Henderson, 78, claimed he was punched as protesters staged a sit-in at Waverley Station in Edinburgh last Saturday against the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza.<\/p>\n
Mr Farage said: “This is an absolute disgrace. We have allowed people into our country that despise everything we stand for.<\/p>\n
“Both Labour and the Tories have done this to us.”<\/p>\n
Mr Henderson, who said he served in the Royal Corps of Signals, 32 Signal Regiment in Northern Ireland, claimed the assault happened during the rally while he ran a Poppyscotland stall at the station.<\/p>\n
He told the Scottish Daily Mail: “I was getting shoved backwards, in danger of falling, and one of them stood on my foot and split my toe.<\/p>\n
“I thought I had got to get the money out of here. So I went down, and as I bent down someone punched me in the back. And then I got another punch in my side.”<\/p>\n
He said he managed to get up and was helped by three women wearing red railway uniforms.<\/p>\n
Mr Henderson added: “I’ve never known anything like it.”<\/p>\n
Police are investigating the alleged assault during the pro-Palestine protest.<\/p>\n
British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan said: “Detectives from British Transport Police are investigating a reported assault at Edinburgh Waverley Station on Saturday November 4.<\/p>\n
“The incident occurred at approximately 3.30pm during a demonstration at the station.<\/p>\n
“Detectives have been investigating the incident since it was reported to police on November 4.”<\/p>\n
A Poppyscotland spokesperson said: “While we respect the rights of people to protest within the law, the safety and welfare of our volunteers is of paramount importance.<\/p>\n
“One of our volunteers was infringed upon when trying to clear his stall to depart at the usual time of 3.30pm at Waverley Station on Saturday November 4.<\/p>\n
“Our volunteer is safe and well, and we thank those that took the time to escort him out of the station.”<\/p>\n