Swinney apologises to girl at centre of Dundee viral knife video

1 hour ago

Graeme OgstonTayside and Central reporter

First Minister John Swinney has apologised to a Dundee girl who brandished weapons at a Bulgarian man who was later convicted of assaulting her, after previously warning against "misinformation" around the incident.

A viral video showing the 12-year-old holding a knife and axe was highlighted at the time by Elon Musk, who criticised the girl's arrest for "trying to defend herself."

Ilia Belov, 22, was convicted last week of grabbing and pushing the girl and uttering sexual remarks to the girl and her friends last year.

Swinney said he would "of course" apologise to the girl, as he said his comments at the time of the incident were based on the information he had on the case at the time.

Police Scotland have now admitted that their initial statement "did not fully reflect the situation."

It was initially indicated that no-one apart from the girl had been arrested or was wanted in connection with the incident.

The girl's evidence in Belov's trial at Dundee Sheriff Court was described as "eloquent" by Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith.

Musk, the billionaire owner of X and Tesla, shared a post about the incident last year.

Raising the issue at First Minister's Questions, Reform UK leader in Scotland Malcolm Offord said: "The mother of this child, quite rightly, has demanded an apology from the police and from the first minister for her daughter being branded as a liar, right-wing and a racist."

Lord Offord told MSPs the girl had been arrested during the incident and was "widely vilified for wielding an axe and a knife" which she had used to "fend off a Bulgarian migrant and his sister".

Swinney replied: "I of course apologise to the young woman and her family concerned."

He added that "we all deal with the situation as the information presents".

Swinney said: "At the time of this particular incident, the information available to me, provided through Police Scotland, led me to the conclusion that I set out."

But he insisted he would "make no apology for taking on Elon Musk", with the first minister saying he did not think the X owner was "an actor in good faith on these questions".

The video of the girl, which was filmed by Belov, was widely shared and commented on by figures including Musk and far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

The force initially said it was aware of "misinformation" being shared online about "an incident where a Bulgarian couple were approached by youths", and that a 12-year-old girl had been charged with possession of a weapon.

Shortly afterwards, Swinney said: "Police Scotland have issued a warning about deliberate misinformation that is being used to stoke up fear and alarm in our communities."

He added that "people like Elon Musk" were trying to "undermine that sense of cohesion within our communities", adding: "It is totally and utterly unacceptable, and Police Scotland are absolutely right to call it out."

Sexual remarks

Belov was found guilty of making sexual remarks to the group of girls aged between 12 and 14 before grabbing and pushing one of them to the ground.

His sister Nadjedzha Belova, 20, admitted assaulting a 13-year-old girl by seizing and pulling her hair, dragging her to the ground, and striking her on the head to her injury during the incident.

The court heard that Belov had said "hello sexy, I'll show you a good time" to the girls while walking past them.

The pair will be sentenced at Dundee Sheriff Court on 5 August.