A Perth shopkeeper has been criticised for posting an anti-refugee rant on Facebook.
Kairen Ruse, owner of women’s tailoring outlet Blues & Browns, shared details of an incident at her shop on South Street on Wednesday.
She described how, while working alone, an “unkempt, foul-smelling young man” came into her shop and “charged” towards her.
After her dog barked, and she shouted at the man to leave, he eventually ran outside.
Ms Ruse said she had been left “so angry and extremely frightened” by the incident – which was reported to police – and claimed the man involved was “obviously one of Perth’s asylum seekers”.
Ms Ruse said she had heard “110 of these individuals” were living nearby.
In the post – which has now been deleted following a significant backlash – Ms Ruse said she felt “deep anger that these people feel it is their ‘right’ to be in this country”.
Describing herself as a lifelong Conservative, the businesswoman also hit out at the UK and Scottish governments, which she said “won’t do anything to stop this invasion”.
She added: “I’ve been in business in Perth for 20 years. This is now a different Perth and changed society. This has to stop.”
Locals and anti-racism groups were quick to respond to the post, condemning the choice of language and the assumption that the man was an asylum seeker.
Later responding to the criticism, Ms Ruse told The Courier: “I wrote this in the heat of the moment after an incident which left me severely traumatised.
“No woman should ever have to go through this, regardless of where the person came from. The offending post has been removed.”
‘Extremely dangerous post’
Perth Against Racism hit out at the comments.
The organisation said: “This is an extremely dangerous post. Where is your proof that this was one of the boys that you are referring to?
“You could well be putting them in danger. This is a serious allegation.”
Another person wrote: “One of the most racist posts I’ve ever read. Absolutely dripping with hate.”
Jenni Keenan, from community charity PKAVS – which supports refugees in Perth – called the comments “disappointing”.
She said: “We are privileged to offer support to asylum seekers who call Perth home.
We are pleased to say that up until now, Perth has responded warmly and kindly to their arrival.”
Jenni Keenan of charity PKAVS
“By delivering English learning opportunities and other activities, providing essentials like clothes and shoes, and building relationships with the guys, we are able to offer a warm welcome to those fleeing conflict and crisis elsewhere in the world.
“The guys are deserving of our compassion and respect, and we are pleased to say that, up until now, Perth has responded warmly and kindly to their arrival.”
Asked about the incident in the shop, a spokesperson for Police Scotland said officers had received a report of man “acting in an anti-social way” at around 1pm.
“Inquiries were carried out and it was established that no crime had taken place,” a statement added.
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