Politicians and Muslim community leaders have called on Sir Keir Starmer to convene an emergency Cobra meeting following an alleged knife attack near a mosque in Edinburgh that left five people injured.
The incident happened outside Broomhouse Mosque on Friday evening as worshippers were leaving after prayers.
A 36-year-old man, described as a white Scottish national, has been charged in connection with the incident and is due to appear in court.
Several people were taken to hospital following the attack. It has been alleged that the suspect shouted he was “trying to protect his country” during the incident.
The Prime Minister condemned the attack, describing it as “absolutely appalling” and saying the suspect would face “the full force of the law”.
However, a number of politicians and muslim campaigners have argued that a stronger response is needed, with some questioning why Cobra has not been convened.
Critics have drawn comparisons with the response to the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, in April.
Former first minister Humza Yousaf is reported to have said Muslims wanted more than statements of support and called for a clear plan to address concerns within the community.
He is understood to have said: “Muslims don’t simply want statements of solidarity, they need action. They want to see a plan from the office of the Prime Minister telling us he will protect Muslims in the UK who feel more and more unsafe in the only country they call home.”
Mr Yousaf also accused Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe, English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson and “sections of the media” of having “deliberately put a target on the backs of Muslims”, reports The Sun.
The former SNP leader had previously criticised the Prime Minister for not convening Cobra following a suspected arson attack at the home of an imam in Bolton earlier this month.
Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who sits on the Commons Equality Committee, also backed calls for an emergency meeting.
She said: “There needs to be a Cobra meeting.”
Ms Whittome added: “Muslims, migrants and people of colour more widely are being terrorised on the streets of Britain by a radicalised minority”.
First Minister John Swinney was briefed on the situation alongside Scottish Justice Secretary Neil Gray and Equalities Minister Simita Kumar.
They received an update on support being provided to those affected and measures being taken to reassure Scotland’s Muslim community.
Mr Swinney is due to meet representatives from the community on Monday.
He said people should “stand united in utter condemnation” of the “heinous” attacks that took place in Edinburgh.
Muslim MP Zarah Sultana also questioned why Cobra had not been convened.
She said: “Where is the Cobra meeting, Keir Starmer? Or does that not apply when Muslims are attacked?”
Daniel Gilius, Scottish coordinator of Muslim Engagement and Development, said relatives of those injured would be asking why the response appeared different.
He said: “They’ll be wondering where the Cobra meeting is.
“They’ll be wondering where the helicopters are. They’ll be wondering why we don’t get the same attention when this community gets attacked?”
Mr Gilius added that the Prime Minister’s response had been “deeply disheartening” for Muslims who felt “their lives just don’t mean as much as other people”.
UK Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski linked the incident to what he described as growing anti-Muslim rhetoric.
He said: “Vicious anti Muslim hatred by politicians and their trillionaire mate Elon Musk create the conditions for this kind of vile attack.
“Attacks against Muslims get ignored – but still needs repeatedly calling out.
“An Antisemitic attack should be reported and action taken. But where is the same media outrage, Cobra meetings and calling of national emergency when five Muslims are attacked?”
Last week, Restore Britain published a report claiming that “at least 250,000 young white girls” had been raped or abused since the 1950s, alleging Pakistanis were disproportionately involved.
Mr Lowe rejected criticism of the report and those linking it to the Edinburgh attack.
He said: “Vile attempts by Zack Polanski, Humza Yousaf and many others to demonise me following the release of our rape gang inquiry report will not work.
“For decades the mass rape of vulnerable white girls by gangs of Pakistani Muslims was covered up exactly because of efforts like this.”
The dispute comes after controversy surrounding Mr Polanski’s response to the Golders Green attack.
The Green politician previously apologised after sharing a social media post criticising police officers involved in the arrest of the suspect.
Sir Keir defended the officers, saying they were attempting to disable a man who appeared to be wearing an explosive device.
Essa Suleiman, a Somali-born British national, has since been charged with attempted murder over that incident.
The Cabinet Office has been approached for comment.
