A very powerful statement from the First Minister today apologising, on behalf of Scotland, for historical policies that affected Gypsy/Traveller Communities, known as the “Tinker Experiment”.
As outlined by the First Minister, without ambiguity, what happened to Gypsy/Traveller communities in Scotland was unacceptable. The “Tinker Experiments” should not have happened, these pre-devolution policies were wrong, and for that, we are sorry.
In my time as Minister for Equalities, I have been grateful for the time communities have given me, especially when I visited the Bobbin Mill and received their powerful testimony.
Today’s apology is a testament to campaigners for their strength, and for fortitude in their relentless campaigning.
I’d also like to pay to tribute to our late colleague, Christina McKelvie. Christina worked tirelessly to address the inequality and injustice faced by Gypsy/Traveller communities in Scotland; always listening to those who suffered injustice and acting to address that injustice.
For now, we must be united in unequivocally condemning all forms of hatred, discrimination, and prejudice; particularly those which still cause members of the Gypsy/Traveller communities in Scotland to feel unsafe, unwelcome or marginalised in their daily lives or in the expression of their identity and way of life.
This apology is not the end, but the beginning of a new conversation.
