Huge UN event ‘will pose acute challenge for police’

Blair and Jacques Chirac were among politicians met by huge demonstrations.

The COP26 event will take place from November 9 to 19 – only days after the 2020 US election, meaning it could be one of the first engagements of Donald Trump’s second term if he is re-elected as President.

Last week, Boris Johnson told the Tory party conference that the summit was secured for Scotland by the UK Government, not the SNP – and controversially said he did not want to see Nicola Sturgeon ‘anywhere near it’.

UK ministers are being urged to give a commitment to fund the costs rather than forcing cash-strapped Police Scotland to foot the bill.

Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said: ‘Whilst planning is still at an exceptionally early stage, COP26 is the biggest single policing event seen in the UK, certainly in many a decade.

‘This will place unprecedented pressure on the police service. It is very clear that, given the scale of this event, costs will be considerable and I don’t think it is unreasonable to expect it to be in excess of £100million.

‘How that is funded clearly has to be resolved between the Scottish and UK Governments, but we saw from the PM’s comments that he desires the effort of the UK Government to be recognised and I would be astonished if that does not include adequate funding.’

Concerns have also been expressed over a possible lack of hotel accommodation. Sources have claimed that this could be addressed by using cruise ships docked in the Clyde. Glasgow has around 12,000 hotel rooms, meaning it is well short of the capacity needed. Popular hotel

‘A complex and expensive operation’

bookings websites show the city is nearing full capacity, with 13 months until the event begins.

A security source said docking cruise ships ‘in the Port Glasgow area’ is among the options being considered, adding: ‘In Vancouver for the Winter Olympics they used cruise liners, they do the same in Gibraltar all the time.’

Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: ‘The detailed process of planning is under way with partners for what will be a complex and expensive policing operation.’

It is understood that Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins has been put in charge of the policing operation.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone told a Scottish Police Authority board meeting that the service in Scotland has a ‘long established reputation for successfully and safely policing major international events’.

He added: ‘Nonetheless, the conference presents particularly acute and extensive policing challenges in terms of capacity and capability, planning arrangements and maintaining service delivery across Scotland while we prepare for and police the conference.’

The Cabinet Office said it was consulting with Police Scotland about arrangements, including funding. It added that accommodation arrangements had been agreed, including hotels in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and there are ‘no plans’ at present to use cruise ships.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We look forward to welcoming the UN and delegates and participants from around the world.

‘Scottish Ministers expect that all costs associated with COP26 will be borne by the UK Government.

‘This includes funding for Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Service. We will seek clarity from the UK Government on these key issues.’