The attack on a peaceful asylum seeker protest in George Square by a group called the Loyalist Defence League has been condemned across the political spectrum.

MSPs and councillors of all parties represented in the city have branded those responsible as “racist thugs” stating it was “overt racism” and “organised violence”.

Violence broke out when hundreds gathered in the square in response to a call by the Loyalist Defence League, ahead of the protest at treatment of asylum seekers during lockdown in Glasgow.

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister and Glasgow Southside SNP MSP said: “The scenes in Glasgow were horrifying and disgraceful, and we should be pretty blunt about the cause of what happened. It was not caused by people protecting statues or the cenotaph; it was caused by a bunch of racist thugs seeking to pour out their vile prejudice against asylum seekers and refugees.” She added: “We should stand against the scenes that we saw in Glasgow. ”

Susan Aitken leader of Glasgow City Council and Humza Yousaf, Pollok MSP and Justice secretary released a joint statement.

They said: “We are completely appalled by the shameful scenes of racist thuggery that took place in George Square.

“The racist and thuggish behaviour we witnessed was not peaceful protest, it was organised violence and disorder designed to intimidate.”

Annie Wells, Glasgow Conservative MSP, said: “I am shocked and appalled at the scenes we have witnessed tonight in my home city. There is absolutely no place for racism, bigotry or violence in Scotland.”

Thomas Kerr, leader of the Tory group on Glasgow City Council, said: “The scenes we seen in George Square have been absolutely appalling and do not reflect the Glasgow I know and love. Any form of bigotry, vandalism or violence has no place in our city.”

Anas Sarwar, Glasgow Labour MSP drew a clear distinction between those calling for better conditions for asylum seekers and those intent on stopping the protests.

He said: “Let’s not give equivalence to different groups of demonstrators. I do not support or endorse anyone breaking the law, but let’s be clear. One group is fighting for equality and against prejudice. The other is fighting against equality and for prejudice.”

Mr Sarwar’s comments were backed by his party’s Scottish Leader, Richard Leonard.

He said: “The bigotry on display in Glasgow has no place in a tolerant, open society and must be condemned.”

Kim Long, Green councillor said she was in “Solidarity with asylum seekers who have been moved from flats into hotels en mass, all money has been stopped. Of course you’d protest. In response, Glasgow’s fascists dog whistled to ‘protect statues’ - as if it was about statues, not intimidating Black people out of taking up space.”

Police Scotland, Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins issued a stark warning to those intent on violence.

He said: “What we saw last night (Wednesday) was people intent on hijacking a peaceful event and intent on violence and thuggery.

“It is completely and utterly unacceptable and we will not tolerate these scenes any longer, including attacks both physical and verbal on the public and our officers.

“We have no tolerance any longer. There is no place for it in Glasgow or anywhere else in Scotland. It doesn’t reflect the Scottish society in which we live.

“We’re working very closely with partners and with event organisers to ask what they want to achieve.

“But if other people come out to hijack a peaceful event for other purposes then we will put in a very robust policing response.”