UNIONIST group A Force For Good is hosting a “peaceful vigil” at an Edinburgh monument today after chaos at similar protests in Glasgow this week.

Anti-racism protesters have identified a number of statues and monuments across Scotland and the UK with links to slavery and colonialism, which they say should be removed.

Edinburgh’s Melville Monument, in the city’s St Andrew’s Square, commemorates Henry Dundas – whose actions are thought to have delayed the abolition of the slave trade.

The Topple The Racists campaign claims the monument is one of those which should be removed, and was hit by anti-racism graffiti earlier this month during Black Lives Matter protests.

READ MORE: Black Lives Matter: Wording agreed for Henry Dundas statue plaque

But Edinburgh’s council has said a new plaque will be put on the statue acknowledging Dundas’s role in Britain’s slave trade.

There have been “statue defenders” in cities across the UK in recent weeks, saying they want to prevent further vandalism to monuments. High-profile statue vandalism like the toppling of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol, and graffiti branding Churchill “a racist”, has led to anger from some groups.

However at some of the planned statue defending events, in London and Glasgow particularly, chaos has ensued after far-right thugs attended and clashed with police and anti-racism protesters.

A Force For Good will gather at the Melville Monument today. A representative from the group, known for their counter-protests at Scottish independence marches, said they would be “standing up for Scotland and Britain’s proud history”.

Alistair McConnachie, founder of the group, is a former Ukip member and Holocaust denier.

In a Facebook live group the A Force For Good representative spoke about their planned Edinburgh event, saying: "We at A Force For Good are particularly animated by the current controversies around British history.

"When we see people who are attacking Britain, obviously we have an opinion on that."

Online, A Force For Good representative said the group had been in attendance at the Glasgow protests last weekend and added those taking part were “British patriots”.

The group were in the square after the Glasgow Youth Art College had called on anti-racism protesters to go and demand the removal of the statue of Sir Robert Peel, whose father had links to the slave trade.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called protesters “utterly shameful” after police averted a clash between two rival groups.

There was further trouble on Wednesday when far-right groups targeted peaceful protesters in Glasgow. Police have said “violence and thuggery” will no longer be tolerated following the incident.

At least six people were arrested during the incident.

Police have urged people not to attend protests in George Square today following the scenes, reminding the public of lockdown restrictions. 

Ch Supt Hazel Hendren said: "Anyone who wants to protest should find another way of doing so that keeps everyone safe.