These were my dad's streets.. he would have been so proud

Writer backs immigration raid protesters

- John Ferguson

The daughter of trade union activist Jimmy Reid has told how her father would have been so proud of the community in Glasgow who rallied together to stop two men snatched in an immigration raid.

Eileen, 62, who lives close to Kenmure Street in Pollokshields, where events unfolded on Thursday, saw the eight-hour stand-off and said if her dad was still alive he would have been in the thick of things.

Border Force officials released Lakhvir Singh and Sumit Sehdev i from their van after being surrounded by protesters.

Writer and lecturer Eileen said: “Jimmy lived in this area all of his life and he would have been hugely proud of what happened.

“When people ask me what he would have thought about things, I sometimes can’t be sure but I am certain about this.

“He would have been down there addressing the crowd and fighting this injustice.

“The atmosphere really reminded me of the shipyard union demonstrations that dad led – it was peaceful and controlled and dignified.”