Two warring factions within the Scottish independence movement have been told to work together as they were given the go ahead to stage a march in Arbroath.
All Under One Banner (AUOB) and the Scottish Independence Movement (SIM) both lodged applications to host independence marches on April 4, which will coincide with the launch of the Arbroath 2020 celebrations.
The combined estimates from both groups would see as many as 25,000 people descend upon Arbroath.
The town is set to kick-off a six-month celebration marking the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath’s signing the same weekend.
Fantastic!- Our March for Independence on 4th April at Arbroath has just been granted full permission by Angus Council upon recommendation by Police Scotland. #AUOBArbroath is now 100% good to go. We are going to make it a powerful Declaration of Independence! #AllUnderOneBanner
— All Under One Banner (@AUOBALBA) February 20, 2020
The two groups wanted to leave at separate times — 12pm and 1pm — and go along slightly different routes.
But on the advice of Police Scotland, Angus Council’s licencing committee said they could only march if they left at the same time and followed the same route.
Madeep Singh, once a member of AUOB and who founded SIM after a public spat, warned the committee his march would leave at 11.30am to avoid the AOUB procession.
At the Angus Council meeting on Thursday, Mr Singh and AUOB’s Neil Mackay continued their dispute, both telling councillors that the other was telling lies.
Mr Mackay “assured” councillors his was the only march that will take place on the day, saying that a similar situation had arisen in Perth last year, but SIM withdrew their application “at the last minute”.
Mr Singh said he lodged his Arbroath application a year ago and AUOB had put their application in later to interfere with his campaign.
He also warned there could be “conflict” if the two groups were forced to come face-to-face.
Chief inspector Gordon Cunningham advised the committee police resources would be stretched too thin if both marches were separate.
