POLICE are investigating an alleged assault on a Glasgow city councillor at a pub in the city in what he said was motivated by tensions around the Israel Hamas war.

Conservative councillor Thomas Kerr, a candidate in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election last month, said the altercation has led to him increasing his security including being told to carry a panic alarm and to avoid public transport.

The reported assault took place at the Woodend Pub in Mount Vernon following a day of pro-Palestinian protests on Armistice weekend.

READ MORE: Scottish Gaza ceasefire rally: Crowd of 100k expected to attend

A man allegedly verbally targeted Kerr before the situation escalated. 

The Scottish Conservatives condemned the alleged assault with a spokesperson for the party saying: “Thomas has been fully co-operating with the police in relation to this alarming incident.

“He was subject to a level of abuse which no politician should have had to endure while he was simply socialising in his local community.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Monday, November 13, police received a report that a man had caused a disturbance and assaulted a 27-year-old man within premises on Hamilton Road Mount Vernon, Glasgow on Sunday, November 12.

“Officers are following a positive line on enquiry in relation to this matter.”