Iain Duncan Smith heckled by protesters in Edinburgh

Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith has been heckled by anti-cuts protesters during a speech in Edinburgh.

Mr Duncan Smith had just been called to speak when campaigner Willie Black rose to his feet and shouted “you’re a rat bag” at the politician.

Mr Black had booked himself into the George Hotel in Edinburgh the night before.

He told the BBC he had breakfast and then made his way to the conference room in the hotel in time for Mr Duncan Smith’s speech.

When the secretary of state rose to his feet Mr Black called out: “You are creating a new poll tax and we are going to see the end of you back to England, where you belong, you rat bag.”

Mr Duncan Smith replied: “It is always good to be welcomed.”

Mr Black was then escorted from the conference room and Mr Duncan Smith continued with his speech.
Willie Black told Mr Duncan Smith he was creating a new poll tax Willie Black told Mr Duncan Smith he was creating a new poll tax

Then two disabled protesters stood up and shouted out.

They said: “We want social justice and equality … We’re coming for you.”

The two, and their guide dog, were then escorted from the room.

Outside Jonathan Smith and Charli Saben Fox explained why they had interrupted Mr Duncan Smith’s speech.

Mr Smith who receives income support, disability living allowance and housing benefit said: “If we don’t do it then we may as well just go out and shoot ourselves.

“A bullet in the head is probably easier, kinder to most of us than just letting us rot away.”

Charli Saben Fox, whose son has learning difficulties and is disabled herself, said: “If they take away everything from us we have nothing to lose.

“That means we have everything to fight for and that is what we are going to do.

“Iain Duncan Smith has got a fight on his hands if he thinks we are just going to lay down and die.”

Earlier, the BBC understands Mr Duncan Smith had held private meetings with the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie and the Deputy First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon.

Mr Rennie’s party conference recently voted for a rethink on changes to housing benefit which will see people lose benefits if they are deemed to have spare bedrooms in their property.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-21953895

Source: