POLICE have launched a probe following a break-in at an East Lothian aerospace factory on New Year's Day.
Videos posted to social media appear to show members of an ‘autonomous’ pro Palestine group smashing computers and other equipment at Bruntons Aero Products during the early hours of January 1.
Wearing masks and dressed in black, the demonstrators also spraypainted the slogans ‘There’s only one way this ends’ and ‘Drop Leonardo’ on walls and equipment at the building, located at Inveresk Industrial Estate in Musselburgh.
According to their LinkedIn page, Bruntons supplies specialist parts to suppliers like BAE and Leonardo, which have both drawn the ire of activists over alleged ties to the Israeli army.
A statement on their website reads: “We are a specialised manufacturer of machined components and mechanical cable assemblies.
“We supply directly to all levels of the aerospace supply chain, servicing our customers' prototype, serial production and spares requirements."
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that enquiries into the incident were ongoing.
They said: “Around 12.35am on Thursday, January 1, officers received a report of a break-in and damage at a premises on Eskmills Road, Musselburgh.”
Instagram account Eye on Palestine, which has 1.7m followers, shared a video of the incident, writing: "Scottish activists carry out direct action against an Edinburgh-based arms-linked company, targeting Bruntons Aero Products over its ties to Leonardo, accused of supplying systems used by Israel in the war on Gaza, in a move expressing solidarity with Palestine and with hunger-striking prisoners in UK jails.”
Leonardo’s Edinburgh campus has previously been the site of multiple protests.
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