Protesters in Scotland react to comments by First Minister John Swinney, saying his “move on” message hurts victims of IRA-related terrorism. They argue that Swinney’s remarks are insensitive and amount to undermining the experiences of those affected, particularly as he has indicated a willingness to work with Sinn Fein. The protest response, as reported by the Daily Mail, frames Swinney’s position as prioritizing political cooperation over acknowledgement of past violence.
The articles provided do not include Swinney’s direct response or detailed context for the comments beyond the characterization that he urged people to “move on.” They also do not describe specific actions taken by the protesters, the location of the demonstration, or whether any official statement was issued by victim groups or Sinn Fein.
Overall, the dispute centers on how Swinney’s wording is interpreted by some campaigners and protesters regarding reconciliation and engagement with Sinn Fein.