In early December, Scottish police at Glasgow airport identified a “suspicious package.” Flights were canceled. Hundreds of travelers, staff, and crew were ushered into the car park where they were kept for six hours, huddled together in foil blankets. Police Scotland later announced that the item had been “innocent in nature.” The steps they had taken were “a precautionary measure,” taken “in accordance with procedures.”
No further details were given. No explanation as to what risks were assessed or whether the “procedures” applied had been appropriate or proportionate. No apology for — or even acknowledgment of — the tremendous inconvenience caused. The incident served to exemplify the governing style of the Scottish government: We know best, so shut up and get in line. Of course, such an approach is enabled by the compliance of its citizens. As some predicted, the pandemic-era assaults on civil liberties have only served to worsen this trend.
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