Scottish police on duty during Donald Trump’s UK visit will enjoy “clean and comfortable” accommodation – but their English counterparts have hit out after being given roll- mats in sports halls.
Officers working during the US President’s visit who require a place for an overnight stay will be offered beds in hotels and at the Scottish Police College in Tulliallan, force chiefs have confirmed.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: “Officers who are working on the policing operation and who require to be accommodated overnight have been provided a range of venues to stay depending on where they’re working.
“These venues are clean, comfortable and entirely appropriate for those officers who will require rest following their shifts.”
It comes after Twitter pictures emerged of hundreds of folding beds and roll mats that were laid out for English officers in Essex gyms.
The conditions sparked anger, with officers sarcastically tweeting about their “luxury accommodation”, according to the Evening Standard.
One officer posted a picture of the conditions alongside the caption: “They want us to sleep here for 3 nights. Then do 12 hour shifts?”
Another said: “Cops can’t even charge their phones. There’s not even enough charging ports. It’s just chaos.
“We’re at 10pm, passing beds through to where the women are sleeping. We should be asleep. Up at 3am.
“After one hour’s sleep a freezing cold shower and having to get dressed in the dark with no light. There are serious issues with health & safety arising in my accommodation.
“People are saying they feel unwell. Myself included.”
Another photo shows what appear to be yoga mats laid out in a squash court for police officers to sleep on.
Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Pippa Mills later apologised, saying alternative accommodation had been found for the officers.
“The conditions I have been made aware of are not acceptable,” she said.
"Working with our military partners we have found alternative accommodation.
“This will address the concerns highlighted.”
John Apter, who is chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, has also hit out at the conditions, saying: “Prisoners arrested last night will have had better accommodation than those #police officers ensuring the Presidential visit runs smoothly.”
He later said he was pleased to hear the accommodation had changed.
The security operation, which has been given the codename “Operation Manifold” is expected to be the biggest mobilisation of police officers since the 2011 London riots.
The security bill for Mr Trump’s four-day UK trip is expected to leave taxpayers with a police and security bill of up to £10 million, with the UK Government offering to pay up to £5m of Scotland’s policing costs.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to protest against the President, with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick saying that police will “keep him safe”.
The Met will be responsible for the protection and security of Mr Trump and will also try to ensure lawful protests can be staged.
Ms Dick said: “We will keep him safe. We will facilitate lawful protest and we will uphold other people’s rights as much as we can.”
Speaking at the Air Power Conference in London, she added: “Later today we have a visiting head of state from across the pond.
“Tomorrow we have some large protests in central London and as the President of the United States makes his way through the country it is the Metropolitan Police who are responsible for his protection and security.
“Tonight there will be protests, tomorrow there will be protests.
“On Saturday there will be sort-of related protests (from the) far-right and far-left and probably the most difficult.”
On Wednesday, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf urged anti-Trump demonstrators in Scotland to keep their protests “safe and peaceful”.
Mr Yousaf was briefed by senior officers at Police Scotland about their plans yesterday.
Protest rallies are planned at Turnberry and Menie golf courses over the weekend as well as George Square today and at Holyrood tomorrow.
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