By Steve Bargeton, political editor

THE POLICE chief heading up security at the G8 summit in Gleneagles last night rubbished claims that his officers were challenging protesters to “come on if you think you’re hard enough.”

Tayside Chief Constable John Vine described the suggestion made by MSP Roseanna Cunningham during a Holyrood debate yesterday as “absolute rubbish.”

Ms Cunningham, whose Perth constituency takes in Gleneagles, told MSPs, “We need to uphold Scotland’s tradition of peaceful protest and there is actually a real danger that all the talk of armed police, surface-to-air missiles and holding compounds...will make the fears of violence, understandable after Genoa and Seattle, a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“Some of it looks suspiciously like the police effectively saying, ‘Come on if you think you’re hard enough.’ ”

But Mr Vine, who will command up to 10,000 officers in the biggest ever security operation mounted in Scotland, said, “I’m really disappointed that’s been said and it’s a misrepresentation of anything we’ve said from Tayside Police.

“We clearly say that it’s our responsibility to look after the rights of lawful protesters.

“I’ve constantly said our policing style will be very much community-based. But we have to have contingencies for more violent protests and I have to weigh up the priorities of the world leaders, safeguarding the rights of local inhabitants to go about their business, and facilitate lawful protest.”

During the debate public services minister Tom McCabe said the Executive was determined that peaceful demonstrations should take place during the July summit.

“But we are equally committed to the rule of law,” he added.

“Protesters have responsibilities as well as rights. They must show proper respect to the residents of the areas in which they plan to protest.”

Thousands of anti-capitalist, anti-poverty and environmental campaigners from across the world are expected to descend on Edinburgh and Perthshire to attend events planned to coincide with this year’s summit.

Up to 200,000 people are expected to take to the streets of Edinburgh on July 2 for a huge rally demanding trade justice, debt cancellation and more aid for the world’s poorest countries.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is hosting US and Russian presidents George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin and the heads of the French, German, Japanese, Italian and Canadian governments, has promised to make the plight of Africa and climate change the twin focus of the summit from July 6-8.

Opening the Holyrood debate, Scottish Socialist leader Colin Fox claimed the public’s right to protest was being “eroded” by scare stories and over-zealous police preparations which, he told MSPs, created an atmosphere of “fortress Gleneagles.”

He feared would-be demonstrators could be dissuaded from attending events by “crude” suggestions of possible violence and heavy-handed policing.

But Mr McCabe accused Mr Fox of giving a “distorted” view of the G8, and said the Executive was proud that Scotland was hosting this year’s summit.

The minister praised the police for their preparations for the event, in particular the Tayside force which is co-ordinating the plans. And he urged the media to give positive stories about the G8 summit a “fair hearing” and to give proportionate and not “undue coverage” to individuals seeking to grab “15 minutes of fame” in July.

“By the end of the UK’s presidency I hope people everywhere will see that Scotland has contributed—by actions as well as by words—to the great challenges of making poverty history and securing our environment for future generations.

“I also hope that the people of Scotland will feel proud that they have hosted a G8 summit which made a difference and marks a turning point.”