Last week, Falkirk found itself at the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons.

The protest, according to its branding, claimed to be about protecting community safety, and I have no doubt that was the motivation of many who were there. However, the targeting of their protest was deeply misguided. It was all very well for the organisers to take to the air waves in the days after the demonstration, disavowing Nazi placards and chants. However, if you choose as a focus, a group of people - a group of very frightened people - many of whom are fleeing exactly the sort of violence you think you are protesting, don’t be surprised when the organised racists turn up to hijack your event.

In fact, whatever the denials, from the start, there was clear orchestration by and influence from members of the far right, intent on spreading poison and division. This wasn’t an organic movement of ordinary people seeking answers, albeit it may have included some; it was a carefully organised attempt by fascist agitators to exploit fear, anger and confusion for their own political ends. It’s happening across Scotland and all of these islands.

Let’s be clear, there is no excuse for violence against women and girls, whoever the perpetrator. The crime that allegedly sparked these demonstrations was prosecuted, the defendant found guilty and rightly punished. As a movement, the trade unions of Scotland have always stood and will continue to stand on the side of survivors of male violence against women and girls. Trade unions, and particularly trade union women have a long, proud history of campaigning against sexual harassment........

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