A STAND-UP comic and BBC star has been charged with a terrorism offence after a van was allegedly driven into the perimeter of a defence factory.
Susan Riddell was in the dock at Edinburgh sheriff court today after a Ford Transit hit Leonardo’s in Crewe Toll, Edinburgh last Tuesday.
Susan Riddell has appeared on the BBC and ITV – and is due at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe
Protestors outside Edinburgh sheriff court today
Alan SimpsonThe scene at Leonardo’s defence firm last week[/caption]
The 42-year-old wrote and starred in BBC hit comedy Scot Squad and is due to begin a one-woman Edinburgh Fringe comedy show next week.
Italian firm Leonardo’s supplies defence and security gear to the Ministry of Defence, including military technology which has been sent to Israel.
Riddell, Allegra Fitzherbert, 34, from London, and Naomi Stubbs-Gorman, 31, from Glasgow, are accused of allegedly committing malicious mischief aggravated by having a terrorist connection.
The comedian is also facing a charge of dangerous driving aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection under the Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 2.
All three accused made no plea and the case was committed for further examination.
Riddell and Fitzherbert were released on bail and no date has yet been set down for their next court appearance.
But Stubbs-Gorman will have to return to court on Wednesday after her bail application was continued for 24 hours.
Around 100 protestors and members of Edinburgh Action for Palestine were present outside the city centre court building to show support for the three accused.
Riddell’s appearances include ITV’s Jonathan Ross Comedy Club, BBC Comedy Underground and BBC Queen of the New Year as well as being a regular panellist on BBC Breaking the News.
She has also provided tour support for stand-ups Ardal O’Hanlon and Fern Brady.
Meanwhile, three men have been arrested in connection with terror offences for allegedly showing support for a proscribed terrorist organisation.
At around 1.30pm, a 58-year-old man was arrested outside the Scottish Parliament for waving a sign that expressed support for such an organisation.
On Saturday, two men, aged 78 and 60, were arrested during a protest, where the two allegedly showed support for a proscribed organisation.
The three were arrested in connection with the Terrorism Act 2000.
Police Scotland says a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
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