Poppy-selling war veteran, 78, ‘punched as he fled Edinburgh train station during pro-Palestine protest’ on concourse
A POPPY seller was allegedly punched as he fled Edinburgh train station during a pro-Palestine protest after demonstrators staged a concourse sit in.
The Scottish Poppy Appeal said that the elderly volunteer packed up the stall at Edinburgh Waverly station and fled when hundreds flooded the concourse.
"So I thought I had got to get the money out of here. So I went down, and as I bent down someone punched me in the back.
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"And then I got another punch in my side."
The horrifying attack only ended when three female railway staff shoved the yobs away.
Jim, who served in the Royal Corps of Signals during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, went on: "I’ve never known anything like it".
"Chanting. Saying it’s all about the British Government."
The mob were holding up placards and waving Palestinian flags as they demanded a ceasefire.
Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan said: "Detectives from British Transport Police are investigating a reported assault at Edinburgh Waverley Station on Sat 4 November.
"The incident occurred at approximately 3.30pm during a demonstration at the station.
"Detectives have been investigating the incident since it was reported to police on 4 November.
"We are working with Scot Rail regarding the investigation."
Poppyscotland said: "While we respect the rights of people to protest within the law, the safety and welfare of our volunteers is of paramount importance.
"One of our volunteers was infringed upon when trying to clear his stall to depart at the usual time of 15:30 at Waverley Station on Saturday November 4th.
"Our volunteer is safe and well, and we thank those that took the time to escort him out of the station."
Poppy sellers in other parts of the country have also found themselves in the thick of the protests - branded “hate marches” by Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Pictures from the weekend show poppy sellers swarmed by a gang of protesters at Charing Cross Station in London.
It comes as police have urged protesters to "urgently reconsider" any demonstrations over the Armistice weekend.
Senior officers in the force are worried about breakaway groups intent on crime and disorder during the memorial events.
Met cops said they were “constantly examining the intelligence ahead of the weekend and would respond “appropriately”.
Footage of the Edinburgh protest showed people chanting and holding a large "Freedom for Palestine" banner in front of the poppy seller.
The reports that the staff at the station helped the Poppy Appeal volunteers.
Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters staged a sit-in at the busy station after claims that cops blocked a marching route.
Around 10,000 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli bombing since October 7, with 200 killed by airstrikes overnight.
Marches and sit-ins have taken place across the UK demanding a ceasefire, with more expected this weekend.
On Saturday protesters were seen circling around a Royal British Legion poppy seller during another sit-in at Charing Cross station in London.
The station was briefly closed before the protesters were moved on by police.
Did you witness what happened? Email Harry Goodwin: harry.goodwin@the-sun.co.uk
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said: "If anyone knows these poppy sellers please DM me.
"I will try and rattle a tin with them tomorrow.
"The saddest thing my generation of Veterans ever say to me is that they struggle to recognise the Country they wore the uniform for.
"This is not it. We mustn't allow it to become like this.
"London is a big City; there are plenty of areas to protest - the right for which Servicemen and women are proud to serve - without appearing to try and intimidate ordinary citizens trying to collect a bit of cash for Poppy Day - a non-political symbol."
It comes as Just Stop Oil protesters descended on Whitehall and were seen targeting the Cenotaph as fears grow over the Remembrance Sunday parade.
Just Stop Oil protestors were pictured lying next to the war memorial today with cops arresting at least 40 of them.
The group had staged a slow march towards the remembrance memorial.
One officer said the protesters had been moved to the site "to get them off the road", adding: "It was for their own safety, obviously it's quite a busy road."
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper posted on X that "targeting the Cenotaph is totally unacceptable".
She added: "Full support for the police in taking necessary enforcement action."