The man responsible for a knife attack in a Glasgow hotel has been described as a “quiet and polite and decent guy” by asylum seekers who were residing there.
Badreddin Abadlla Adam, 28, from Sudan, was shot dead by officers after six people – including 42-year-old police constable David Whyte – were injured in the incident on Friday at the Park Inn Hotel on West George Street.
On Monday one of the asylum seekers who was staying at the hotel spoke out about the conditions there and what he had been told of the attacker.
Andrew said: “Recently we were moved from the Park Inn Hotel to the Hallmark Hotel because of the incident that happened on Friday which has been traumatic for every single asylum seeker.
“I (was not) around when it took place but I happened to gather some information from my other asylum seekers.
“They described him as a quiet and polite and decent guy – they were surprised that he acted the way he acted.
“There must be something that pushed him to behave in that ugly manner which honestly I strongly condemned because it is abnormal, but definitely something must have pushed that guy into that level of disastrous act.”
The charity, situated just a few doors down from the Park Inn, has raised concerns after private housing provider Mears, which is subcontracted by the Home Office, moved refugees from self-contained accommodation to the hotels.
PAIH is now calling for an inquiry into the incident and the “accommodation crisis” facing asylum seekers in the city.
Charity director Robina Qureshi praised Andrew’s bravery and his work in collecting the names of 60 asylum seekers that the charity will give crisis grants to on Tuesday.
They also “want to pay some form of thanks” to Mr Whyte and the hotel reception staff who were injured with cards and flowers being organised to be taken to the police station.
“Aileen Campbell, the Communities Secretary, is discussing the safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers in a phone call with the UK Government later today.
“But for the moment I simply want to take this opportunity to thank all of the police officers involved in dealing with Friday’s attack – they showed outstanding courage, dedication and professionalism and through that undoubtedly avoided a very serious situation indeed becoming even worse.
“I also want to praise our medical services including of course the Scottish Ambulance Service for providing such effective care so quickly to those affected by the attack.
“My thoughts are very much with Constable David Whyte and with everyone harmed in Friday’s incident.
“I hope all six people injured make a full and speedy recovery, my best wishes go to them and to their loved ones.”
