I want to offer my condolences to the families affected by the deadly attack which happened in Southport, claiming three innocent young lives.

These were girls enjoying a fun dance class. They were sisters, daughters – children with their whole lives ahead of them.

My thoughts are with the whole Southport community – especially as some individuals and groups have used this incident to stir up racial hatred.

This attack should have prompted a good, hard reflection about the safety of women and girls in the UK.

Yet, some people – mostly men – have seen this as an opportunity to perpetuate further violence.

The images of the woman stood alone in protest to condemn their hatred, and of members of the community giving up their time, energy and skills to repair the damages done to the mosque and surrounding areas, are what gives me hope.

What happened to Alice Dasilva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe and the five other children seriously injured is utterly barbaric.

However, aggravated violence does nothing to honour their memory and certainly does nothing to tackle violence against women and girls.

Using their deaths to create tension amongst a grieving community is beyond shameful and every single individual involved should also be brought to justice for the harm they’ve caused.

Finally, I want to highlight the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Results Helpline which will open on results day, tomorrow, at 8am.

The Helpline number is 0808 100 8000 and will be staffed by SDS advisers from across Scotland, who will support young people to explore their options and next steps – whatever their results.

Good luck to our young people tomorrow.