Scottish Conservative leader warns of organised crime threat as acid attacker freed
The release of a convicted hitman who attacked Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay with acid in 2015 has renewed concerns over organised crime intimidation targeting elected officials.
William Burns, a convicted hitman who attacked Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay with sulphuric acid in 2015, has been released from prison after serving a 10-year sentence. Findlay confirmed he received notification of the release recently and warned that organised crime groups may still consider their conflict with him to be unfinished business.
The assault occurred two days before Christmas in 2015 at Findlay’s Glasgow home, when Burns, disguised as a postman, threw the corrosive liquid and attempted to stab him. Findlay, who was a well-known investigative crime reporter at the time, overpowered the attacker and detained him until police arrived, an incident witnessed by his 10-year-old daughter.
This development underscores a growing concern about the vulnerability of public figures to organised crime retaliation. Findlay noted that the targeting of politicians, a phenomenon often associated with countries like Mexico, is increasingly evident in Scotland, citing a Conservative councillor who resigned in 2021 following firebomb attacks.
Despite the ongoing risk, the Scottish Conservative leader, who assumed his role in 2024, insisted he will not alter his lifestyle or retreat from scrutinising criminal networks. He argued that showing weakness would only embolden these groups, pledging to continue shining a spotlight on their damaging activities.
Findlay also directed sharp criticism at the Scottish parole system, describing it as shrouded in secrecy and lacking genuine regard for victims. He stated that safety concerns from family and friends are ultimately academic, as the threat stems from wider criminal networks rather than solely from one individual.
When asked about forgiveness, Findlay was unequivocal, describing the assault as a calculated, targeted act by an enforcer for a major organised crime group. He further urged police and prosecutors to examine unsolved murders in Paisley during the 1990s, asserting that Burns still has serious questions to answer regarding those historical cases.
