Wick restaurant keeps French flag flying after Bastille Day attack
A FRENCH restaurant is flying the tricolour outside its premises in Wick as a mark of respect to those who died in Nice when a lorry was driven into a crowd of people.
Bord De L’Eau owner Daniel Chretien said his country is in a state of shock and mourning following Thursday night’s attack.
At least 84 people were killed when the lorry was driven through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the French city.
Mr Chretien, who has run the restaurant in Wick for 17 years, originally flew the French flag on Thursday to celebrate Bastille Day but he has kept the flag flying to remember those who died.
“We have decided to fly the flag because this is a sad day for France,” said Mr Chretien, who comes from south-west France between Bordeaux and Toulouse.
“I first heard the news after coming home from work at 1am and saw the number who were killed kept rising – it is horrendous.
“As well as flying it as a mark of respect, more importantly for me, it is to show we are all together against what has happened.
“I have been watching the French news in my kitchen this morning and I will keep the flag flying.”
The French flag is also flying at half-mast at Wick Town Hall as a mark of respect and solidarity for those affected by the tragedy.
Convener of Highland Council Councillor Isobel McCallum expressed her sympathies to the French people.
She said: “This touches all of us across the world. We need to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police, whilst it is imperative we continue to celebrate our freedom and live our normal lives, without allowing the threat of terrorism to shatter our freedom and the values we hold dear.”
Police Scotland assistant chief constable Steve Johnson said it is reviewing security and safety arrangements as a precautionary measure.
He said: “This is something we would do as a matter of course after such events and it is not in relation to any specific information or intelligence.
“Police Scotland is committed to ensuring all communities across the country are as safe as they can be and I would ask the public, especially around crowded places and transport hubs, to remain vigilant and alert, but not alarmed. If you suspect something is wrong, then report it to police.
“I would stress there is no specific information which suggests Scotland is at risk of attack, however, the UK threat level remains at severe and our communities are not immune from the threat of an attack. That’s why I would encourage people to go about their business as normal but remain vigilant.”