Scots hotel and theme park slam 'false' and 'defamatory' rumours they are housing illegal migrants

The Alona Hotel and M&D's theme park's comments came after numerous posts were shared claiming asylum seekers were being moved into the Alona Hotel at Strathclyde Park in Motherwell and The Bellziehill Farm in nearby Bellshill.

A Scots theme park and hotel have denied "defamatory" online rumours that they are housing illegal migrants.

Both M&D's theme park and the Alona Hotel posted statements on social media yesterday in a bid to quash "false" rumours circulating the web.

Their comments came after numerous posts were shared claiming asylum seekers were being moved into the Alona Hotel at Strathclyde Park in Motherwell and The Bellziehill Farm in nearby Bellshill.

M&D's said: "We have been notified that there is a number of posts regarding the Alona Hotel's recent guests. This is 100% false information."

Naming one of the people posting the unfounded allegations, they then asked her to remove her post from all socials.

M&D's added: "As a business we have many different nationalities coming to Scotland to enjoy our amazing country. These defamatory posts will deter our international tour groups visiting our hotel and the surrounding areas."

The Alona Hotel then wrote: "We are appalled and dismayed at recent false social posts circulating locally regarding guests staying at the Alona Hotel.

"We are proud to welcome guests from all over the world who visit to enjoy and experience the very best Scottish hospitality."

Both businesses then deleted all comments and turned off comments on the posts.

Commenting on the furore, a local posted: "I see more than a few attempting to whip up hysteria about 'asylum seekers getting moved into Alona Hotel/The BellzieHill' in Bellshill. No idea if this is true but you hope locals don't allow themselves to be manipulated by the type of racist scumbags."

This comes after "extremists" took part in a protest against asylum seekers being housed in a former hotel in Falkirk.

Hundreds gathered outside the Cladhan Hotel on Saturday - at least one protester was seen performing a Nazi salute while another carried a banner that said "Kill 'Em All, Let God Sort 'Em Out".

Anti-racism protesters staged a counter-demonstration, including the group Stand Up To Racism which said the far right "poses a direct threat to life and safety in Scotland".

The hotel is managed by Mears Group on behalf of the Home Office, which meets the full costs of accommodation, meals and financial allowances for asylum seekers.

Police closed the road for several hours as a result of the demonstrations and two men were arrested.

The Alona Hotel and M&D's did not wish to comment further.

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