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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Polling clerk tells of 'bedlam' | Polling clerk tells of 'bedlam' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A polling station clerk has described the scenes of terror as a man destroyed ballot boxes with a golf club and tore up voting papers. | A polling station clerk has described the scenes of terror as a man destroyed ballot boxes with a golf club and tore up voting papers. |
| The incident happened at Carrick Knowe Church on Saughton Road North, Edinburgh, on Thursday evening. | |
| A clerk told BBC Scotland that women and children were hysterical and staff retreated to another room during the attack, which lasted about 10 minutes. | A clerk told BBC Scotland that women and children were hysterical and staff retreated to another room during the attack, which lasted about 10 minutes. |
| A 36-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday. | A 36-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday. |
| The clerk, who asked to remain anonymous, recalled how the man cast his vote and left the station. | The clerk, who asked to remain anonymous, recalled how the man cast his vote and left the station. |
| He returned with a golf club at about 2030 BST and "systematically destroyed" ballot boxes, she said. | He returned with a golf club at about 2030 BST and "systematically destroyed" ballot boxes, she said. |
| 'Absolute bedlam' | 'Absolute bedlam' |
| "It was absolute bedlam. Women and children were hysterical. | "It was absolute bedlam. Women and children were hysterical. |
| "I honestly don't know how they can seriously say it's an accurate count from that station." | "I honestly don't know how they can seriously say it's an accurate count from that station." |
| The station was closed for approximately three-quarters of an hour, the clerk added. | The station was closed for approximately three-quarters of an hour, the clerk added. |
| "We were absolutely petrified and we were told we had to open again." | "We were absolutely petrified and we were told we had to open again." |
| Count delayed | Count delayed |
| The arrested man has been charged with breach of the peace, vandalism and offences relating to damaging ballot boxes and voting papers. | |
| Carrick Knowe is in the Edinburgh West constituency, where the Liberal Democrats won more than 40% of the vote in 2003 with the Conservatives second on just over 25%. | |
| Election officials later said about 100 papers had been ripped. | Election officials later said about 100 papers had been ripped. |
| The count at Ingliston was delayed while workers attempted to tape the torn pieces back together so that they could be included in the overall tally. | The count at Ingliston was delayed while workers attempted to tape the torn pieces back together so that they could be included in the overall tally. |