SCOTLAND’S trade union movement has demanded “more than warm words” to help communities “choose unity over hatred.”

The call came in the wake of an Islamophobic machete rampage in Edinburgh that left five men injured — three of them hospitalised.

The incident is thought to have begun around 9pm on Friday on the city’s Telford Road when a man was seen smashing a taxi’s windows before entering and trashing a petrol station kiosk. 

Two men were then injured near the city’s Broomhouse Mosque and members of the public ran in terror as a topless man brandishing the massive blade made his way onto Leith Walk and attempted to smash his way into a pizzeria.

After he was tasered and handcuffed on the ground by police, the 36-year-old was heard to shout: “I’m protecting the country from these f****** Muslim bastard raping our young daughters raping our kids. Enough is enough.”

Owais Ahmed, of Broomhouse mosque, said: “There is a sense of anxiety and uncertainty in some aspects, but people are resilient, and people are looking at it as objectively as they possibly can.”

As counter-terrorism officers began an investigation into the attacks, Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Paton insisted: “I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together.”

Expressing the Edinburgh TUC’s solidarity with “those hurt and their families,” chair Claire Robertson told the Star: “We have been aware of tensions building for some months now.  

“What’s happened this weekend was what we dreaded.”

Challenging politicians to tackle the growth of the far right at root, she added: “We need the city’s leaders to work with us, whether that be trade unions or anti-racist groups, to let people know that those seeking a better life are not to blame for the challenges we all face today. 

“The narrative of the populist right blames the deficits in our lives on a lie to deflect our attention from those who gather huge wealth off the back of workers and from their failure to pay their fair share of tax. 

“We know the messaging of Reform targets those who face enormous challenges like the lack of decent jobs, good housing and meeting the cost of living. 

“We need more than warm words of agreement. 

“We need the resources, currently lacking across our country, to bring us together against hatred and othering of people and to build the Edinburgh and Scotland where all are welcome and have a place in our society.”

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “Politicians need to rise to the occasion and unequivocally stamp out those who spread the poison of racism throughout Scotland. 

“The trade union movement is working alongside our trades councils to ensure that our communities — those starved of resources, funding and hope — choose unity over hatred.

“We need others, especially those in positions of power, to stand by those facing persecution at the hands of those who all too readily incite violence and fear among working people.” 

The incident comes amid rising tensions after the anti-migrant pogrom in Belfast, which saw sieg-heiling thugs attempting to reach the Central Mosque and attack people of colour.

And this week, a bizarre sub-military cosplaying event took place outside Glasgow Cathedral, which saw around 50 men and boys dressed from head to toe in black sports-casualwear arrange themselves in ranks to lay a wreath stating “we apologise” and the fascist slogan “il fine giustigica i mezzi” — translated as “the end justifies the means” — while Police Scotland officers looked on.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer posted on X: “No-one should face violence on our streets.

“The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this — he will face the full force of the law.”

First Minister John Swinney wrote: “There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country,” while a “horrified” Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on communities to “stand together against hatred, violence and division and defend our shared values.”

Police Scotland said a 36-year-old man had been charged in connection with a number of incidents.