Man in court charged with five counts of attempted murder following Edinburgh attacks

Lewis Hawkes, 36, has appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on the attempted murder charges which were “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection”.

He was also charged with one count of assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct – all of which are also aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection, the Crown Office said.

Hawkes did not submit a plea during a private hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.

He was committed for further examination and remanded in custody, ahead of another court appearance within eight days.

Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate the attacks across the city on Friday which left five people injured and are suspected to have an anti-Muslim motivation.

It comes after First Minister John Swinney visited Broomhouse Mosque and said victims of the attacks had been left “deeply traumatised” by events.

Two men were injured on Friday night following prayers at the mosque. Incidents in Telford Road and Ferry Road were also reported, with part of Leith Walk sealed off by police after a man was seen wielding a bladed weapon.

Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate what happened, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying that the incidents appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred”.

Mr Swinney sent his “deepest sympathy” to all those affected by Friday’s violence.

The First Minister said: “I have spoken to some of the young men who were injured as a consequence of this act on Friday evening, they are not only physically injured but they are deeply traumatised by the attack. ”

Among those injured were two men who were sitting in a park after attending prayers at Broomhouse Mosque.

Mr Swinney, who attended the mosque on Monday, said he wanted to send a message of “solidarity and sympathy and empathy” to them and also to the wider Muslim community in Scotland.

READ MORE: Counter-terrorism police called in as five injured in Edinburgh street attacks

Mr Swinney said it was “just unbearable to talk to those young men who’ve been affected by this incident and injured by it”.

But the First Minister stressed it was “important that I’m here to express the solidarity of the Scottish Government and the political leadership of Scotland with the community who will be traumatised”.

He said that Friday’s “violent” incident could have “enormous consequences for cohesion within our community”.

In the wake of the incidents Mr Swinney stressed it was important to show “leadership about tolerance and inclusion within our communities”, saying that “those are the values that I espouse at all times”.

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He added: “Nobody will ever hear from me anything that in any way undermines that message of cohesion within the community.

“That is what we must be about, about bringing people together, about understanding and respecting each other, that’s fundamentally what our dialogue has got to be about, and that’s what people will rely upon from me as First Minister.”

Recalling how he was brought up in a nearby part of the Scottish capital, Mr Swinney said: “I used to kick footballs around in this community.

“This was always a very welcoming, inclusive community, a community that was brought together, so it’s heartbreaking to experience what we’re experiencing now.”

But he said the incidents “reinforce the importance” of encouraging people from a young age to “understand and appreciate the strength that comes from diversity”.

Mr Swinney added: “That’s what this community represents.”

Superintendent Neil Wilson, of Police Scotland, made clear that “there is no place for violence, hatred, or intimidation in our communities” in light of Friday’s incidents.

The police officer added that concerns might be “heightened” in the wake of the “horrific attacks”.

He said: “It is important that all communities across Scotland feel supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation.”

Since Friday Police Scotland has spoken to more than 90 multi-faith organisations and community leaders in Edinburgh and across Scotland, with Mr Wilson adding that local policing officers have visited businesses affected by the incident.

He said: “We are carrying out a community impact assessment and will closely monitor the situation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all communities, and we are prepared to respond promptly to any emerging issues.”

While Mr Wilson stressed there was “no wider threat”, he said the ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing Scotland was continuing, with support from local policing officers in Edinburgh and other specialist national capabilities in Scotland.

He urged people to use a Major Incident Public Portal which has been set up to send any information - including doorbell and dashcam footage - they have to the force.