SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 01/10/03

Scottish Socialist Party MSP Rosemary Byrne reacted with anger and disbelief to a Scottish Executive press briefing in which anti social behaviour in Scotland’s communities was described as a “modern day plague”.
Rosemary said;
“This kind of language from a Government minister is completely unacceptable.
“The young people that Margaret Curran is referring to are amongst the most marginalised and vulnerable of Scotland’s young people.
“I have figures from ‘Children in Scotland' which show that approximately 44% of young people in custody had attended special schools, Margaret Curran’s comments are completely unacceptable.”

Carolyn Leckie, Scottish Socialist Party MSP list MSP for Central Scotland added;
“Does Margaret Curran want these people to be disappeared in the same way that the street children of Brazil do, hunted down by gangs of vigilantes?
“By dancing to the tune of the tabloid press on law and order, Labour ministers are entering dangerous waters.
“The Scottish Socialists will continue to fight for inclusive and tolerant communities with public facilities that give our young people positive options in life.
“Our young people must be included in Scottish society, not outrageously demonised as a “plague”.