Leonardo’s Edinburgh site has been the target of Pro-Palestine protestors in recent months over claims that its supplying equipment used by the Israel Defense Forces.
11:58, 18 Aug 2025Updated 11:58, 18 Aug 2025
Police were called in
(Image: Edinburgh Live)
Protestors have reportedly ‘blocked’ the entrance to an Edinburgh arms factory as police rush to the scene.
Activists parked a van at the Crewe Road North Leonardo site during the early hours of Monday August 18. One demonstrator appeared to be locked inside while another was ‘locked’ to the top of the vehicle.
The factory was also targeted with glass jars, filled with red and green paint in a bid to impede access, and shut production down, reports Edinburgh Live.
Police officers can be seen deployed to the scene after being made aware of the incident.
This is the second action by Shut Down Leonardo Edinburgh. The group launched with an action at the factory on July 15.
Three women appeared in court last month charged with malicious mischief after a van was allegedly driven into its fence.
Niaomi Stubbs-Gorman, 31, Susan Riddell, 42, and Allegra Fitzherbert, 34, all appeared on petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday via videolink.
The trio made no plea on charges of malicious mischief, aggravated by having a “terrorist connection”, after a van was allegedly driven into the fence of the Leonardo factory in the Crewe Road North area of the capital on July 15.
Riddell was also charged under the Road Traffic Act 1988, aggravated by having a “terrorist connection”.
During a short private hearing the Sheriff granted Fitzherbert, of London, and Riddell, of Glasgow, bail. Stubbs-Gorman, of Glasgow, had her application for bail continued one day and will appear before the court on Tuesday.
Supporters of three women charged with terrorism offences gathered outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court.(Image: Daily Record)
The Leonardo factory has been previously targeted by pro-Palestinian protestors for its role in supplying equipment used by the Israel Defense Forces – specifically guidance kit for F-35 jets.
A spokesperson for Shut Down Leonardo said: “With most world leaders either ignoring Israel’s genocide in Gaza, or actively involved in it, we cannot look aside while our Palestinian brothers and sisters are being exterminated.
“By shutting down Leonardo, we hope to disrupt the supply chain to the deadly F-35 war planes.”
In December last year, a spokesperson for Leonardo insisted the company does not ‘supply equipment’ direct to Israel.
It read: “Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment direct to Israel.
“The safety and wellbeing of our employees, contractors and neighbours is our first priority. Aggression towards, or the intimidation of, our people, who work hard to support the security and defence of the UK, is not acceptable.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 6.15am on Monday, 18 August, 2025, we were called to a report of a protest outside a business premises in the Crewe Road North area of Edinburgh.
“Officers are in attendance and enquiries are ongoing.
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