University security 'let down' student who was slashed with six-inch knife at pro-Palestine rally

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GB NEWS

George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 24/09/2025

- 22:33

The perpetrator confronted a group of protesters before shouting racial slurs and performing Nazi salutes

A student who was slashed in the face at a pro-Palestine demonstration claimed university security staff knew his attacker was carrying a knife and failed to intervene.

Ben Law was assaulted by Thomas McKenzie at George Square in Edinburgh earlier this year.


McKenzie shouted racist slurs and performed Nazi salutes towards the crowd before he was challenged about his behaviour.

The 37-year-old then pulled a "box cutter" blade from his pocket and slashed Mr Law across the face.

Mr Law was left with a gash running from his mouth to his ear.

He was taken to a nearby hospital by a family member, where he had the injury treated with medical skin glue.

The 25-year-old philosophy and politics student from Edinburgh said he had to resit his third year at university after missing exams because of the assault.

Earlier today, McKenzie was jailed for 22 months for the attack at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The attack took place during a Palestine protest (file pic)\u200b

The attack took place during a Palestine protest (file pic)

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PA

The court heard how McKenzie had "a considerable number of previous convictions", including being jailed for two offences of robbery while armed with a knife and several assaults.

He was remanded after pleading guilty to assault to severe injury and acting in a racially aggravated manner on March 28.

McKenzie was sentenced to a 22-month jail term, being ordered to be supervised for a further 12 months after his release from custody.

Mitigating, Calum Turner said that his client had been drinking heavily on the day of the protest after suffering a family bereavement the day before.

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Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that the row erupted between the two

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WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Mr Turner told the court his client "recognises he was very much in the wrong for what he did."

Sheriff Julius Komorowski described the attack as "disproportionate and wicked".

The sheriff added: "That you chose to confront a political protest is a significant aggravating factor.

"People are entitled to protest peacefully even in topics that some might find sensitive or divisive."

Mr Law said his assaulter had been spotted by activists from the student society Justice for Palestine, who reported the attack to the police.

Witnesses claimed the attacker had shouted comments, including chanting "f**k Palestine" at the crowd before the attack.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, he said: "I have mixed feelings... but I realise the guy is not a safe individual to be on the streets.

"On the day he was shouting abuse at the crowd, calling us terrorists and Jews, and at one point he and I were face to face after he came right up to me.

"He was trying to instigate a confrontation and was targeting non-white protesters."

\u200bEdinburgh has hosted Palestine rallies

Edinburgh has hosted Palestine rallies since the start of the war in Gaza

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GETTY

He added: "After some of the protesters tried to get him to leave, he pulled out what I believe was a box cutter and slashed me across the face.

"I really hope the publicity around this will see a change made to the security at the university to help make it a much safer place for everyone in the future."

Vice Principal Students at the University of Edinburgh Professor Colm Harmon told GB News: "Safety on campus is our utmost priority and we condemn any violence in our community in the strongest terms.

"We respect the right to peaceful protest and our security team routinely attend events including protests, irrespective of the focus, to ensure wellbeing.

"Security provide immediate support during and after any incident at any event, and work closely with the Police and other groups to ensure our approach to safety is as effective and appropriate as possible."

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